India, Aug. 21 -- On March 23, 2027, two Parsi doctors from what was then Bombay, will posthumously receive one of Pakistan's highest civilian awards, the Nishan-e-Quaid-i-Azam, announced Pakistan's federal minister for planning, development and special initiatives, Ahsan Iqbal Chaudhary.

The honours list, released on August 14, Pakistan's Independence Day, lists the names of Doctors Jal Patel and Jal Daeboo, "for conferment on citizens of Pakistan and foreign nationals for exceptional achievements, excellence and courage in their respective fields."

The announcement shines a light on a near-forgotten chapter of modern Indian history, and has created a stir in Mumbai's Parsi community. Dr Patel was Muhammad Ali Jinnah's treating physici...