The Man Behind Kashmir Lifelines

By Gowher Bhat

The corridors of Government Medical College Srinagar are always awake. They echo with hurried footsteps, whispered prayers, and the steady hum of machines fighting for breath. On most days, the smell of antiseptic hangs in the air, mixed with the smell of fear. In these hallways, where time bends between life and loss, one man’s presence seems to hold things together.

His name is Mohammad Ashraf Hakak, and though few patients know his title, everyone feels his influence.

As the Administrator of GMC Srinagar and its associated hospitals, one of Kashmir’s largest and most demanding healthcare networks, Hakak’s job is to keep the system running.

That means managing doctors, nurses, supply chains, sanitation, and patient flow for thousands every day. But his true skill l