History

Celebrating the legacy of Sindh Medical Association's advocacy efforts.

    Sudent Politics

Dr. Thalho started his political journey as President of the Sindh Peoples Student Federation (SPSF) at Intermediate College, Dokri. His dedication to student welfare and social activism quickly made him a popular figure. Later, upon joining Chandka Medical College (CMC), he revived the SPSF unit which had been dissolved after clashes between student organizations.

Due to his persistent advocacy for student issues, Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto personally supported him, appointing him Coordinator for Student Affairs and assigning him the task of reorganizing SPSF and PSF. On her directives, Dr. Thalho contested for the PS-41 Provincial Assembly seat, but due to a minor technical issue in the nomination form, his candidacy was rejected.

Dr. Muhammad Ali Thalho was rusticated for one year from Chandka Medical College due to his intense political activities

  Transition to Doctors’ Activism

After graduating, Dr. Thalho won the elections for President of the Chandka Doctors Organization (CDO), where he led the movement to increase the house job stipend. This campaign succeeded after Benazir Bhutto, then Prime Minister, directed the raise. During this period, Dr. Thalho also served as: President, Peoples Doctors Forum CMC Larkana                           Elected Vice President, Pakistan Medical Association

President, United Doctors Forum

Formation of Sindh Doctors Ittehad

Following the removal of Benazir Bhutto from office, Dr. Thalho began a movement for the regularization of doctors recruited on a contract basis during the PPP government. This struggle, led under the banner of Sindh Doctors Ittehad, lasted eight years (1997–2003) and was later claimed as the largest doctors’ protest in the world.

During this period, Dr. Thalho faced severe political retaliation — termination from service, salary stoppages, arrest warrants, and continuous harassment. Despite this, protests were held at the Sindh Assembly, Governor House, and Chief Minister House. The movement succeeded in 2003, when CM Ali Ahmed Mahar regularized the services of these doctors.

Later Movements & Achievements

In 2012, Dr. Thalho initiated the Doctors’ Promotion Movement, holding sit-ins outside Civil Hospital Karachi and Karachi Press Club. This resulted in thousands of doctors receiving promotions, which have continued smoothly since 2018.

He also played a pivotal role in the regularization of 2014 contract doctors, providing guidance and leading protests until they too were regularized.

Since 2018, Dr. Thalho has been at the forefront of the anti-corruption movement in the Sindh Health Department, exposing misconduct through protests and media campaigns.

Media & Editorial Work

Dr. Thalho served as:

• Incharge, Benazir Bhutto Blood Bank, CMC Hospital

• Chief Editor, Shaheed Benazir Magazine (covering PPP’s internal news)

• Host, Director, and Producer of various health and current affairs programs on Sindh TV, ARY City, ARY News, Channel 5, and Metro TV.

Renaming to Sindh Medical Association

In late 2024, the Executive Committee decided to rename Sindh Doctors Ittehad to Sindh Medical Association to reflect its broader mission. On 30 December 2024, at an inauguration event in Karachi — celebrated with music and attended by members and supporters — the new name was officially launched.

Our Legacy in Medical Advocacy

The Sindh Medical Association champions doctors' rights, continuing the legacy of the historic movement led by Dr. Muhammad Ali Thalho from 1997 to 2003. Documentation is underway.

Empowering doctors through collective action.

Sindh Doctors

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