President Asif Ali Zardari today bestowed the Sitara-i-Pakistan, one of the nation’s high civil accolades, upon Prof. Pan Xiangbin, a prominent Chinese interventional cardiologist, in recognition of his significant contributions to cardiac care and his dedicated service to patients in Pakistan.
Prof. Pan, who serves as Vice President of Fuwai Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, and Director of the National Interventional Quality Control Center for Structural Heart Disease, is an internationally recognised authority in his field. He has spearheaded the creation of cutting-edge diagnostic and therapeutic technologies, including a number of pioneering innovations and patented medical solutions. Notably, these encompass ultrasound-guided interventional techniques, which facilitate treatment without the need for traditional surgery, radiation exposure, or general anaesthesia.
The distinguished medical professional visited Pakistan in January 2025. During his visit, Prof. Pan and his team carried out crucial, life-saving procedures for children suffering from congenital heart disease. Furthermore, they delivered specialised training in advanced interventional techniques to Pakistani medical practitioners, significantly enhancing local expertise.
President Zardari acknowledged that these collaborative efforts have bolstered Pakistan’s healthcare infrastructure and exemplify the tangible advantages derived from Pakistan-China cooperation. The ceremony was attended by several notable dignitaries, including Senator Saleem Mandviwalla, Senior Sindh Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon, Ali Hassan Barohi, Syed Qasim Naveed Qamar – Special Assistant to the Chief Minister of Sindh for Investment and Public-Private Partnership Projects – along with China’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Jiang Zaidong, and Pakistan’s Ambassador to China, Khalil Hashmi.