About Dr. Farrukh Seir
Maj Gen (R) Dr. Farrukh Seir, HI(M)
Biography
Maj Gen (R) Dr. Farrukh Seir, HI(M), is a man of extraordinary breadth — a retired Major General of the Pakistan Army, a distinguished physician and health administrator, a self-taught visual artist with over two decades of sustained practice, and a passionate humanitarian who has served in some of the world's most challenging disaster zones.
His multifaceted career spans military service at the highest echelons, pioneering medical administration across Pakistan's leading institutions, and impactful government leadership as Minister of Health and Higher Education for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Throughout each chapter, Dr. Seir has carried a deep commitment to public service and the belief that knowledge, health, and art are inseparable pillars of a thriving society.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Dr. Seir has dedicated himself to humanitarian relief across some of the world's most devastating disaster zones — from the 2005 Pakistan earthquake to the tsunami in Banda Aceh. Today, he channels his energy into Gallery 21, the arts, and rehabilitation sciences, continuing a life defined by service.
Philosophy & Values
The guiding principles behind his art and service
“Art must remain ethical, inclusive, and connected to society — not confined to elite spaces.”
A self-taught visual artist with over two decades of sustained practice, Dr. Seir's artistic approach is fundamentally self-directed, emerging from lived experience rather than formal instruction. He works across multiple mediums including oil, acrylic, and watercolour, allowing the medium to guide the emotional direction of each painting. His work emphasizes introspection, exploring memory, emotion, and cultural consciousness through reflective, process-driven painting.
Education
MBBS
Medicine
MSc
Health Administration
MBA
Project Management
MS
Human Resource Development
Life Timeline
Key milestones in a life of service
Military Career
Commissioned into the Pakistan Army Medical Corps, serving with distinction across multiple theatres and rising to the rank of Major General.
Medical Leadership
Led premier medical institutions as Principal of Wah Medical College, Dean at Khyber Medical University, and Deputy Surgeon General of the Pakistan Army.
Government Service
Appointed Minister of Health and Higher Education for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, shaping public health policy at the provincial level.
Art Practice
Began a self-taught artistic journey spanning over two decades, working across oil, acrylic, and watercolour to explore memory, emotion, and cultural consciousness.
Gallery Founding
Founded Gallery 21 in Islamabad in November 2023 — a not-for-profit contemporary art space dedicated to fostering dialogue, education, and access to art.
Current Work
Serving as Executive Director of PIRS Islamabad while continuing to paint, curate exhibitions, and champion inclusive access to the arts.