Hakim's passion for service was nurtured from an early age. As a child, he was fascinated by Pakistan Defense Day and Air Force Day. He would also visit the Pakistan Air Force Base Faisal and observe the Army Parade, which celebrated the achievements and contributions of individuals who served. His passion deepened further through his visits to the Pakistan Army Museum, Pakistan Air Force Museum, the Pakistan Maritime Museum, and the Manora Point Lighthouse. These experiences continued to spark his interest in service. He became a Boy Scout, registered to serve in Ismaili Volunteer Corps, and volunteered at hospitals and orphanages in Karachi.
Muhammad Iqbal's poem, "Lab Pe Aati Hai Dua," invoked a sense of urgency and a call to duty for service and to be compassionate towards mankind. Moving to Atlanta with his family in 2012, Hakim studied business and architecture at the University of Georgia.
In 2016, he sought to strike a balance between his passion for water and service and joined the U.S. Coast Guard. As an electronics technician, he installed and repaired sophisticated electronics on commissioned vehicles. Additional duties included conducting search and rescue missions; regulating and inspecting vessels and maritime facilities; and working to reduce the risk of marine pollution incidents while protecting U.S. seas and enforcing U.S. and international laws.
Equipped with leadership and problem-solving skills, Hakim was revered by his fellow coast guardsmen and civilians alike. He traveled extensively, exploring cities across Europe, Asia, and South America, and was an avid reader. He immersed himself in local art and literature, especially autobiographies.
Following his four-year career in the Coast Guard, Hakim pursued academic achievements in performing arts at Hampshire College. He developed an interest in theater storytelling, and his performances on stage left his audience captivated. In recent years, he participated in the Shakespeare & Company‘s Summer Shakespeare Intensive Program and the Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute's Professional Acting Program in Los Angeles.
Tragically, Hakim’s eventful career and life ended in a natural death earlier this year; however, his dedication and commitment are a testament to a life well-lived-in service to his country.
