Two soldiers regain sight after receiving cornea donated by army officer’s late wife

In a remarkable medical achievement, two Pakistan Army soldiers who had lost their vision during counterterrorism operations have regained their eyesight following a cornea transplant made possible by the donation of the late Wasima Askari, wife of Major General (retd) Syed Zafar Mehdi Askari.

The surgery was carried out at the Armed Forces Institute of Ophthalmology (AFIO) in Rawalpindi, using corneal tissue donated after Askari’s death on October 3, 2025.

The recipients, identified as 30-year-old Ali and 26-year-old Falak Sher, had suffered severe eye injuries while serving in anti-terror operations. Skilled ophthalmic surgeons at AFIO performed the delicate procedure, restoring their vision.

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According to the AFIO, the operation represents a historic first — the country’s first successful cornea transplant using tissue donated by a local woman.

Zahra Mehdi, daughter of Mrs. Askari, said she felt immense pride in her mother’s final act of generosity. “Knowing that my mother’s eyes have brought light back into the lives of two brave soldiers is the greatest honor,” she said, calling the donation a lasting form of charity.

The successful procedure has drawn widespread praise for AFIO’s medical team, marking another landmark in the institution’s mission to rehabilitate soldiers injured in the line of duty.