New Delhi: In a dramatic and unprecedented move, Pakistan Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir has awarded himself the Hilal-i-Jurat, the country’s second-highest wartime gallantry medal, equivalent to India’s Maha Vir Chakra, on the country’s Independence Day, for his leadership during the recent conflict with India.
In July, Pakistan Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal announced that the country’s Independence Day would be commemorated as ‘Marka-i-Haq’ or the Battle of Truth, the official term adopted by the Pakistani state to describe events after India launched Op Sindoor in retaliation for the 22 April Pahalgam terror attacks.
The self-conferred honour, announced by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), comes alongside a series of awards bestowed upon Pakistan’s entire top political and military brass, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, for its role in what is being touted as decisive military success in Operation Bunyanum Marsoos and Marka-i-Haq.
According to the citation, Munir led the war effort from 22 April to 10 May, displaying “unquestionable courage, military prowess, firm belief, and unshakeable patriotism”.
Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu and Naval Chief Admiral Naveed Ashraf were awarded the Nishan-i-Imtiaz (Military) for their respective roles in the air and naval battles. General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, was also awarded the same for advisory duties during the operations.
Apart from them, operational intelligence and operational commanders were also honoured. Among them, ISI Director General Lt Gen Muhammad Asim Malik, ISPR Director General Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, Deputy Chief of Naval Staff (Operations) Vice Admiral Raja Rab Nawaz, Deputy Chief of Air Staff (Operations) Air Vice Marshal Aurangzeb Ahmed, and DG Military Intelligence Maj Gen Wajid Aziz were all presented with the Hilal-i-Imtiaz (Military) for their roles during the conflict.
The announcement was part of a larger ceremony that included the distribution of eight Sitara-i-Jurat, five Tamgha-i-Jurat, 24 Sitara-i-Basalat, 45 Tamgha-i-Basalat, 146 Imtiazi Asnad (mentions in dispatches), and 259 COAS commendation cards to military personnel.
“Awards were conferred upon senior military and civilian officials, members of the PM’s war cabinet, as well as the delegation that presented Pakistan’s case to the world in the wake of the military confrontation with India,” reports Dawn.
Awards for political leadership too
But it was the political leadership’s haul of honours that has raised eyebrows. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif received the Nishan-i-Imtiaz, Pakistan’s highest civilian honour, for his leadership during the war. Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar was awarded the same for “exposing India’s diplomatic attacks” and promoting Pakistan’s stance globally.
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif received the Nishan-i-Imtiaz for his “strategic contributions” during the conflict. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar was also decorated for “countering Indian propaganda” and coordinating civil-military communication efforts.
Similarly, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar was awarded the Nishan-i-Imtiaz for “employing legal avenues to defend national interests”, including challenging the allegedly illegal suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty and the “unlawful killing of Pakistani citizens”.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also received the Nishan-i-Imtiaz for “maintaining internal peace and national unity amid intensified attacks on civilians”.
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari was conferred the Nishan-i-Imtiaz in recognition of his leadership of Pakistan’s international delegation, which visited New York, London, and Brussels to present the country’s position on the conflict.
All members of that diplomatic mission including Dr Musadik Malik, Senator Sherry Rehman, Khurram Dastgir, Hina Rabbani Khar, Senator Faisal Subzwari, Tehmina Janjua, and Jalil Abbas Jilani, were awarded the Hilal-i-Imtiaz (Crescent of Excellence) for “effectively countering India’s narrative and advocating Pakistan’s stance at key global forums”.
(Edited by Viny Mishra)
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