By Rana Tahir
Dr. J. P. Chhabria, a leading ophthalmologist and President of the Pakistan Hindu Forum, has dedicated his career not only to medical excellence but also to advocacy for the rights and welfare of minority communities in Pakistan. In an exclusive conversation with Jehan Pakistan, he shared insights into his personal journey, professional accomplishments, and socio-political engagement.
Born in Kandhkot, Sindh, Dr. Chhabria completed his early education locally before moving to Hyderabad for intermediate studies at a model school. He earned his MBBS from Chandka Medical Collegenow a universityand received specialist training in ophthalmology at Jinnah Hospital, Karachi. He later pursued a diploma in diabetes management, recognizing its direct impact on eye health.
“Diabetes is a major cause of vision loss in Pakistan. Every day, 100 people lose their eyesight due to diabetic complicationsmost of which are preventable with timely intervention,” he stated. Dr. Chhabria stressed the importance of public awareness regarding common eye diseases such as cataracts, glaucoma, and strabismus, which can often be managed or corrected through modern surgical techniques like phacoemulsification and laser treatment.
He also highlighted the need for early vision screening in children, ideally by the age of five, to prevent permanent vision impairment. “By the age of 9 or 10, visual development stops. If a child’s poor vision is not corrected before that, glasses may no longer be effective.”
Dr. Chhabria has also performed numerous successful laser procedures to eliminate high-power glasses, including corrections up to -10 diopters. He ensures patients that such procedures, when done by professionals, are safe and highly effective.
Beyond medicine, Dr. Chhabria is an active social leader. As founder of the Pakistan Hindu Forum, he aims to empower his community to raise their voices for their rights. “Many political representatives gain votes from our community but fail to serve us. This platform gives us a unified voice to address issues such as kidnappings, forced conversions, and extortion affecting minorities in Sindh.”
He personally organizes free medical and eye camps, particularly during the holy month of Ramadan, offering free check-ups, medication, and surgeries to underprivileged patients.
Dr. Chhabria also engages in public discourse through writing columns on social issues and delivering lectures at universities, especially about diabetes prevention. “Our government focuses on treatment, not prevention. That’s why Pakistan has become a global hotspot for diabetes-related deaths. We need strategic planning to reduce the healthcare burden.”
An avid poet, Dr. Chhabria is also preparing to publish his first book of poetry. His vision for Pakistan echoes the inclusive ideals of its founders. “The Pakistan we want is the one envisioned by Quaid-e-Azam in 1947, where minorities were part of the national fabriclike Jogendra Nath Mandal, the first Law Minister, and S.G. Singha, the first Speaker of the Punjab Assembly.”
He strongly condemned the recent killing of 26 people in Indias Pahalgam region, calling it a “deeply saddening tragedy” and rejected allegations of Pakistani involvement as “baseless.” As a former member of the National Commission for Minorities, he urged both countries to avoid blame games and instead work toward justice and peace. “Terrorists have no religion. If anyone is found guilty, they must be punished severely.”
Dr. J. P. Chhabria remains a passionate advocate for interfaith harmony, community welfare, and public healthan embodiment of service across borders and beliefs.
