Dr. Syed Aqa Zafir graduated with top honors from King Edward Medical College, Lahore in 1954. Shortly after, he was offered a prestigious opportunity to join the private practice of a leading surgeon. However, guided by a deep sense of ethics, Dr. Zafir declined the offer, stating: “I could not morally charge patients a fee,” and instead dedicated his career to public health.

In 1958, he pursued advanced studies in the United States, earning a doctorate in Public Health from Harvard, followed by specialized training at Johns Hopkins University. In 1963, he joined the World Health Organization (WHO), where he served in various key roles. His distinguished career culminated in his appointment as Regional Director for the Middle East and South Asia, based in Alexandria, Egypt.

During his tenure at WHO, Dr. Zafir played a vital role in malaria eradication and population planning initiatives across East and West Pakistan, contributing significantly to public health reforms in the region.

After retiring from WHO, Dr. Zafir realized his lifelong vision of serving humanity by founding the Babaza Foundation Trust. He formally registered the organization in February 2003 in Karachi, dedicating his post-retirement life to humanitarian service through the Trust.