Hilal-e-Pakistan
Hilal-e-Pakistan, (lit. 'Crescent of Pakistan')[2] is the second-highest civil award and decoration of Islamic Republic of Pakistan.[3][4] The award seeks to recognize those people who have made "meritorious contribution to the national interests of Pakistan, or cultural, social contribution, or other significant public or private endeavors". The award is not limited to Pakistani citizens and, while it is a civilian award, it can also be conferred upon foreign nationals.[5][6] It is bestowed by the President of Pakistan once a year on the eve of Independence day.[7][8][9]
Hilal-e-Pakistan | |
---|---|
Type | National Civilian |
Country | Islamic Republic of Pakistan |
Presented by | Government of Pakistan |
Established | March 19, 1957 |
First awarded | 1957 |
Last awarded | March 24, 2019[1] |
Precedence | |
Next (higher) | Nishan-e-Pakistan |
Equivalent | Hilal-i-Imtiaz |
Next (lower) | Sitara-i-Imtiaz |
Year | Number of recipients |
---|---|
19xx | 2 |
1957–1995 | 6 |
2005–2008 | 4 |
2010–2019 | 10 |
History
Hilal-e-Pakistan and other civil awards came into existence following the independence of Pakistan on March 23, 1956. However, civil awards including Hilal-e-Pakistan were established on March 19, 1957 under the article 259(2) of the Constitution of Pakistan and Decorations Act, 1975. Hilal-e-Pakistan, the second-highest civil award[10] was possibly first conferred upon Chief justice of Dhaka high court, Amin Ahmed.[7][11]
Policy
President of Pakistan confers civil awards under the Article 259(2) of the constitution-1973 and decorations Article-1975 in recognition of meritorious contribution and selfless devotion.[12][13]
Notable recipients
Year | Image | Awardees | State / Country | Note |
n/a | Ayub Khan | Pakistan | Awarded by Zulfikar Ali Bhutto in recognition of playing a key role as a spokesperson at UN.[14] | |
n/a | Akhtar Hameed Khan | Pakistan | Awarded in recognition of his role in academic and social development[15] | |
1957 | n/a | Amin Ahmed | Pakistan | Awarded by Iskander Mirza in recognition of meritorious services[11] |
1958 | Abdul Wahid Adamjee | Pakistan | Awarded by Iskander Mirza in recognition of playing significant role in Pakistan's economic and industrial development[16] | |
1967 | n/a | Alvin Robert Cornelius | Pakistan | Awarded by Ayub Khan in recognition of meritorious contribution to Pakistan's national interest[17] |
1983 | Ronald Speirs | United States | Awarded by Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq in recognition of promoting friendly relations between Pakistan and United States[18] | |
1989 | Ruth Pfau | Germany | Awarded by Ghulam Ishaq Khan in recognition of playing a significant role in controlling/removing leprosy outbreaks in Pakistan[19] | |
1995 | Gerald Kaufman | United Kingdom | Awarded by Farooq Leghari on the recommendations of Benazir Bhutto in recognition of contributing to Pakistan's diplomatic relations.[20][21] | |
2005 | Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan | United Arab Emirates | Awarded by Pervez Mushrraf in recognition of promoting economic relations between Pakistan and UAE.[22] | |
2006 | Ryan Crocker | United States | Awarded by Pervez Musharraf in recognition of supporting Pakistan during 2005 earthquake[23] | |
2008 | Hamdan bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan | United Arab Emirates | Awarded by Pervez Musharraf in recognition of rendering services to Pakistan.[24] | |
2008 | Joe Biden | United States | Awarded by Asif Ali Zardari in recognition of improving economy of Pakistan.[25][26] | |
2010 | Ahmad Faraz | Pakistan | Posthumously awarded by Asif Ali Zardari in recognition of his contribution to poetry and literature.[27] | |
2011 | Ronald Noble | United States | Awarded by Asif Ali Zardari in recognition of supporting Pakistan to the world police body[28] | |
2012 | Yang Jiechi | China | Awarded by Asif Ali Zardari in recognition of enhancing foreign relations between Pakistan and China[29] | |
2012 | Sirindhorn | Thailand | Awarded by Asif Ali Zardari [30] | |
2014 | Irina Bokova | Bulgaria | Awarded by Shah Mahmood Qureshi in recognition of promoting cultural heritage of Pakistan and "helping during natural disasters".[31] | |
2015 | Mehriban Aliyeva | Azerbaijan | Awarded by Shah Mahmood Qureshi in recognition of initiatives to establish a new modern school in Pakistan after 2005 Kashmir earthquake | |
2015 | Wang Yi | China | Awarded by Shah Mahmood Qureshi in recognition of improving relations between Pakistan and China[34][35] | |
2019 | Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan | United Arab Emirates | Awarded by Arif Alvi in recognition of "supporting Pakistan in humanitarian and development fields"[6] | |
2019 | n/a | Xu Shaoshi | China | Award was presented by Pakistan ambassador to China, Naghmana Alamgir Hashmi in recognition of promoting Belt and Road flagship project. |
2019 | İsmail Kahraman | Turkey | Awarded by Arif Alvi in recognition of playing significant role in enhancing relations between the Pakistan and Turkey[36][37] | |
2020 | Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu | Turkey | Awarded by Arif Alvi |
Controversies
President Asif Ali Zardari was accused in 2011 for conferring 185 civil awards including Hilal-e-Pakistan, to its federal Cabinet ministers and foreigners.[38] Pakistan News media in 2011, covered reports stating that its former prime minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto including Benazir Bhutto were restricted during their tenure from bestowing the civil awards to associates.[39]
References
- "President confers top civil and military awards amongst different personalities on Pakistan Day". RADIO PAKISTAN. 2019-03-23. Retrieved 2020-03-07.
- "Xi's visit to strengthen 'all-weather' strategic ties: Sharif". The Hindu. 2015-02-13. Retrieved 2020-03-07.
- "National award: Ambassador Saravia proud of feeling 'almost Pakistani'". The Express Tribune. May 2, 2014.
- "UAE's deputy PM to receive Pakistan's highest civilian award". Arab News PK. August 20, 2019.
- "Pakistan Affairs". 1960.
- "Pakistani President confers top civilian award on Mansour bin Zayed". gulfnews.com.
- "Civilian Awards".
- "Hilal-E-Pakistan: Thai princess honoured". The Express Tribune. March 21, 2012.
- Reporter, The Newspaper's Staff (August 14, 2019). "Ibne Safi, Fehmida Riaz among 116 recipients of civil awards". DAWN.COM.
- "Xi's visit to strengthen 'all-weather' strategic ties: Sharif". Business Standard News. Press Trust of India. 2015-02-13. Retrieved 2020-03-07.
- "Ahmed, Justice Amin - Banglapedia". en.banglapedia.org.
- (PDF). December 22, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20181222213425/http://www.cabinet.gov.pk/cabinet/userfiles1/file/honour-and-award-policy.pdf. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2018-12-22. Missing or empty
|title=
(help) - http://www.finance.gov.pk/circulars/civil_award.pdf
- Paul, T. V.; Paul, Thazha Varkey (March 10, 1994). Asymmetric Conflicts: War Initiation by Weaker Powers. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 9780521466219 – via Google Books.
- Mohiuddin, Yasmeen Niaz (March 6, 2007). Pakistan: A Global Studies Handbook. ABC-CLIO. ISBN 9781851098019 – via Google Books.
- "Abdul W. Adamjee, Pakistani Magnate, Millionaire, Is Dead". The New York Times. July 5, 1972.
- Barque, Ali Mohammad (March 6, 1971). "Who's who in Pakistan". Barque. – via Google Books.
- "Pakistan Affairs". Information Division, Embassy of Pakistan. March 6, 1982 – via Google Books.
- Whitfield, Kate (September 9, 2019). "Dr Ruth Pfau: Who was 'Pakistan's Mother Theresa' celebrated in today's Google doodle?". Express.co.uk.
- "PID". pid.gov.pk.
- "Tribute to Sir Gerald Kaufman — a great friend of Pakistan". www.thenews.com.pk.
- Aftab, Analysis By M. "Abu Dhabi Group becomes a ringer". Khaleej Times.
- Nawaz, Shuja (August 30, 2019). The Battle for Pakistan: The Bitter US Friendship and a Tough Neighbourhood. Penguin Random House India Private Limited. ISBN 9789353056216 – via Google Books.
- "137 Pakistanis, 17 foreigners get civil awards". DAWN.COM. August 15, 2007.
- "Pakistan gives awards to Biden, Lugar for support". Reuters. October 28, 2008 – via www.reuters.com.
- "Hilal-i-Pakistan awarded to Biden, Lugar". DAWN.COM. October 28, 2008.
- "Hilal-e-Pakistan for Ahmed Faraz". The Nation. 11 November 2010. Retrieved 13 April 2020.
- "Pakistan honours intel chief, gets lauded in return | India News - Times of India". The Times of India.
- Service, Tribune News. "Decoding China's 'Silver Fox'". Tribuneindia News Service.
- "Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn's Activities". sirindhorn.net.
- Reporter, The Newspaper's (February 7, 2014). "Hilal-i-Pakistan conferred on Unesco DG". DAWN.COM.
- https://azertag.az/en/xeber/Azerbaijans_first_lady_Mehriban_Aliyeva_handed_Hilal_e_Pakistan_order_VIDEO-838440
- "Mehriban Aliyeva awarded Hilal-e Pakistan Order". AzerNews.az. February 13, 2015.
- "President confers 'Hilal-e-Pakistan' on Chinese FM | SAMAA". Samaa TV.
- http://president.gov.pk/newsdetail7845.html
- "President Alvi confers top civil, military awards for excellence on Pakistan Day". DAWN.COM. 2019-03-23. Retrieved 2020-03-07.
- "Pakistan confers civilian award on Turkish officials". www.aa.com.tr.
- Newspaper, From the (August 14, 2011). "Civil awards lavished on key PPP members". DAWN.COM.
- "Breaking traditions: Civilian awards carry hefty price tag". The Express Tribune. September 4, 2011.