Princess Diana famed Dr Hasnat Khan returns to Pakistan to lead cardiology institute in Lahore

LAHORE: Renowned cardiologist Dr Hasnat Khan, widely known for his past association with Diana, Princess of Wales, has returned to Pakistan to take up a leading role in the country’s healthcare sector. He has been appointed Chief Executive Officer and dean of the newly established Jinnah Institute of Cardiology in Lahore.

The upcoming facility is expected to become one of the city’s major centres for cardiac care, with final preparations underway ahead of its official launch. Authorities say recruitment for medical and administrative staff has already begun, signaling that the hospital will soon be operational.

Dr Khan, born in Jhelum in 1958, received his early medical training at King Edward Medical University before moving to the United Kingdom, where he built a distinguished career. He served for many years at London’s Royal Brompton Hospital, one of the world’s leading specialist centres for heart and lung diseases.

He gained international attention in 1995 when Princess Diana visited the Royal Brompton Hospital and met him during a patient visit. Their relationship later became widely reported, bringing Dr Khan into the global spotlight. Princess Diana is said to have referred to him as “Mr. Wonderful,” a nickname that followed him in media coverage.

Health officials view Dr Khan’s return as a major development for Pakistan’s medical landscape, particularly in cardiology, where demand for advanced treatment continues to grow. The Jinnah Institute of Cardiology is expected to expand access to specialized heart care in Lahore, a city already home to some of the country’s leading healthcare facilities.

With an internationally trained specialist at its helm, the institute aims to introduce modern cardiac treatment standards and strengthen Pakistan’s capacity to manage heart disease, one of the leading causes of death nationwide.