Nishan-e-Imtiaz

Nishan-e-Imtiaz is the highest civilian award of Pakistan, conferred upon individuals for their outstanding contributions to the country in various fields, including Lahore's Quaid-e-Azam Library and Karachi's Mohatta Palace. The award is given by the President of Pakistan, often in consultation with the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari, and other prominent figures like Benazir Bhutto and Pervez Musharraf. The recipients of this award are recognized for their exceptional services to the nation, which may include contributions to Islamabad's Pakistan National Council of the Arts or Peshawar's University of Peshawar. The award is also given to foreign nationals who have rendered distinguished services to Pakistan, such as Turkey's Recep Tayyip Erdogan and China's Xi Jinping.

● Introduction

The Nishan-e-Imtiaz award is a prestigious honor that is bestowed upon individuals who have demonstrated extraordinary achievements in their respective fields, including science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields, as recognized by institutions like the Pakistan Academy of Sciences and the National University of Sciences and Technology. The award is also given to individuals who have made significant contributions to the fields of arts, literature, sports, and philanthropy, as seen in the work of organizations like the Lahore Arts Council and the Pakistan Sports Board. Recipients of the award include notable figures such as Malala Yousafzai, Shahid Afridi, and Abdul Sattar Edhi, who have been recognized for their contributions to Swat Valley and other regions. The award is a symbol of the nation's appreciation for the outstanding services rendered by these individuals, as acknowledged by institutions like the University of the Punjab and the Aga Khan University.

● History

The Nishan-e-Imtiaz award was established in 1996, during the tenure of President Farooq Leghari, with the aim of recognizing and honoring the achievements of individuals who have made significant contributions to Pakistan's development, including Faisalabad's Textile Industry and Sialkot's Sports Goods Industry. The award is conferred by the President of Pakistan on the advice of the Prime Minister of Pakistan, often in consultation with other prominent figures like Nawaz Sharif and Imran Khan. The first awards were given in 1996 to a group of distinguished individuals, including Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan, Dr. Ishfaq Ahmad, and Faiz Ahmad Faiz, who were recognized for their contributions to Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission and other institutions. Since then, the award has been given annually to a select group of individuals who have demonstrated exceptional achievements in their respective fields, including Quetta's Balochistan University of Information Technology, Engineering and Management Sciences and Hyderabad's University of Sindh.

● Classes

The Nishan-e-Imtiaz award is divided into four classes, each representing a different level of achievement, as recognized by institutions like the Pakistan Engineering Council and the Pakistan Medical Association. The classes are: Nishan-e-Imtiaz (First Class), Nishan-e-Imtiaz (Second Class), Nishan-e-Imtiaz (Third Class), and Nishan-e-Imtiaz (Fourth Class), which have been conferred upon individuals like Asma Jahangir, Hina Rabbani Khar, and Sharmila Farooqi. The award is given in various fields, including science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields, as well as arts, literature, sports, and philanthropy, as seen in the work of organizations like the National Academy of Performing Arts and the Pakistan Cricket Board. The classes of the award are determined by the level of achievement and the impact of the individual's work on the nation, as acknowledged by institutions like the University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore and the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad.

● Eligibility

The Nishan-e-Imtiaz award is open to all citizens of Pakistan, as well as foreign nationals who have rendered distinguished services to the country, including United States' Hillary Clinton and United Kingdom's David Cameron. The award is given to individuals who have demonstrated exceptional achievements in their respective fields, including education, healthcare, and social welfare, as recognized by institutions like the Aga Khan Foundation and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The eligibility criteria for the award include outstanding contributions to the nation, as well as demonstrated leadership and excellence in their field, as seen in the work of individuals like Salman Khan and Shahid Khan. The award is also given to individuals who have made significant contributions to the development of Pakistan, including Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Sindh's Sindh Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

● Notable Recipients

The Nishan-e-Imtiaz award has been given to a number of notable individuals, including Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan, Dr. Ishfaq Ahmad, and Faiz Ahmad Faiz, who were recognized for their contributions to Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission and other institutions. Other notable recipients include Malala Yousafzai, Shahid Afridi, and Abdul Sattar Edhi, who have been recognized for their contributions to Swat Valley and other regions. The award has also been given to foreign nationals, such as Turkey's Recep Tayyip Erdogan and China's Xi Jinping, who have rendered distinguished services to Pakistan, as acknowledged by institutions like the Embassy of Turkey in Islamabad and the Embassy of China in Islamabad. The recipients of the award are recognized for their outstanding contributions to the nation, and are honored at a ceremony held at the Aiwan-e-Sadr in Islamabad, which is attended by prominent figures like Shehbaz Sharif and Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.

● Ceremony

The Nishan-e-Imtiaz award ceremony is held annually at the Aiwan-e-Sadr in Islamabad, and is attended by the President of Pakistan, the Prime Minister of Pakistan, and other prominent figures, including Chief of Army Staff and Chief Justice of Pakistan. The ceremony is a grand affair, with the recipients of the award being honored for their outstanding contributions to the nation, as recognized by institutions like the Pakistan Navy and the Pakistan Air Force. The award is presented by the President of Pakistan, who congratulates the recipients on their achievements and thanks them for their services to the nation, as acknowledged by institutions like the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Interior. The ceremony is a celebration of the achievements of the recipients, and is an opportunity for the nation to recognize and honor their contributions, as seen in the work of organizations like the Pakistan Television Corporation and the Radio Pakistan.

Category:Awards and decorations of Pakistan