Hilal-e-Pakistan

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Hilal-e-Pakistan

Neck Medal for Hilal-e-Pakistan

Breast Star for the Hilal-e-Pakistan
TypeNational Civilian
CountryPakistan Islamic Republic of Pakistan
Presented by

Government of Pakistan
Post-nominalsH.Pk
EstablishedMarch 19, 1957
First award1957
Final award2022
Precedence
Next (higher) Nishan-e-Khidmat[1]
EquivalentHilal-e-Imtiaz (Military)
Hilal-e-Imtiaz (Civilian)
Next (lower)Sitara-e-Imtiaz (Military)
Sitara-e-Imtiaz (Civilian)
Hilal-e-Pakistan award recipients
Year Number of recipients
19xx
2
1957–1995
6
2005–2008
4
2010–2019
10
2020–2029
3

Hilal-e-Pakistan (Urdu: ہلالِ پاکستان, lit. 'Crescent of Pakistan')[2] is the second-highest civil award (in the hierarchy of "Hilale")[3] of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.[4][5] 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. While it is a civilian award, it can also be conferred upon foreign nationals.[6][7] It is bestowed by the president of Pakistan once a year on the eve of Independence day.[8][9][10]

History

Hilal-e-Pakistan and other civil awards came into existence following the declaration of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan on 23 March 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[11] was possibly first conferred upon Chief justice of Dhaka high court, Amin Ahmed.[8][12]

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.[13][14]

Previous versions of the Hilal-e-Pakistan (State of Pakistan)

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.[15]
—N/a Akhtar Hameed Khan Pakistan Awarded in recognition of his role in academic and social development[16]
1957 Amin Ahmed Pakistan Awarded by Iskander Mirza in recognition of meritorious services[12]
1958 Abdul Wahid Adamjee Pakistan Awarded by Iskander Mirza in recognition of playing significant role in Pakistan's economic and industrial development[17]
1967 Alvin Robert Cornelius Pakistan Awarded by Ayub Khan in recognition of meritorious contribution to Pakistan's national interest[18]
1983 Ronald I. Spiers United States Awarded by Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq in recognition of promoting friendly relations between Pakistan and United States[19]
1989 Ruth Pfau Pakistan Awarded by Ghulam Ishaq Khan in recognition of playing a significant role in controlling/removing leprosy outbreaks in Pakistan[20]
1995 Gerald Kaufman United Kingdom Awarded by Farooq Leghari on the recommendations of Benazir Bhutto in recognition of contributing to Pakistan's diplomatic relations.[21][22]
2005 Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan United Arab Emirates Awarded by Pervez Mushrraf in recognition of promoting economic relations between Pakistan and UAE.[23]
2005 Saif al-Islam Gaddafi Libya Awarded by Shaukat Aziz in recognition of promoting economic relations between Pakistan and Libya.[24]
2006 Al-Waleed bin Talal Saudi Arabia Awarded by Pervez Musharraf in recognition of his deep friendship and all-round support to Pakistan and his commitment to the causes of the Muslim Ummah.[25]
2006 Ryan Crocker United States Awarded by Pervez Musharraf in recognition of supporting Pakistan during 2005 earthquake[26]
2007 Fahd bin Sultan Saudi Arabia Awarded by Pervez Musharraf in recognition of his endeavours for strengthening friendship and cooperation between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.[27]
2008 Hamdan bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan United Arab Emirates Awarded by Pervez Musharraf in recognition of rendering services to Pakistan.[28]
2008 Joe Biden United States Awarded by Asif Ali Zardari in recognition of improving economy of Pakistan.[29][30]
2010 Ahmad Faraz Pakistan Posthumously awarded by Asif Ali Zardari in recognition of his contribution to poetry and literature.[31]
2011 Ronald Noble United States Awarded by Asif Ali Zardari in recognition of supporting Pakistan to the world police body[32]
2011 Dai Bingguo China Awarded by Asif Ali Zardari in recognition of his meritorious services to Pakistan-China friendship and strategic cooperative partnership.[33]
2012 Yang Jiechi China Awarded by Asif Ali Zardari in recognition of enhancing foreign relations between Pakistan and China[34]
2012 Sirindhorn Thailand Awarded by Asif Ali Zardari[35]
2014 Irina Bokova Bulgaria Awarded in recognition of promoting cultural heritage of Pakistan and "helping during natural disasters".[36]
2015 Mehriban Aliyeva Azerbaijan Awarded in recognition of initiatives to establish a new modern school in Pakistan after the 2005 Kashmir earthquake

[37][38]

2015 Wang Yi China Awarded in recognition of improving relations between Pakistan and China[39][40]
2019 Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan United Arab Emirates Awarded by Arif Alvi in recognition of "supporting Pakistan in humanitarian and development fields"[7]
2019 Xu Shaoshi China Award was presented by Pakistan's ambassador to China, Naghmana Alamgir Hashmi, in recognition of promoting Belt and Road flagship project.[41]
2019 İsmail Kahraman Turkey Awarded by Arif Alvi in recognition of playing significant role in enhancing relations between Pakistan and Turkey[42][43]
2020 Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu Turkey Awarded by Arif Alvi
2020 Song Tao China Conferred by Pakistan's ambassador to China, Moin ul Haque, on behalf of President Arif Alvi, in recognition of his outstanding services towards Pakistan and strengthening Pakistan-China relations.[44]
2020 Zhong Shan China Conferred by Pakistan's ambassador to China, Moin ul Haque, on behalf of the President of Pakistan, in recognition of his outstanding services towards Pakistan and strengthening Pakistan-China relations, including his role in advancing the second phase of the Pakistan-China free trade agreement.[45]
2021 Volkan Bozkır Turkey Awarded by Arif Alvi to Volkan Bozkır as the President of the United Nations General Assembly for his outstanding services to international peace, security and sustainable development.[46][47]
2022 Bill Gates United States On a day long and first-ever visit to Islamabad, Pakistan, Gates was awarded by Arif Alvi for his contribution to eradicating infectious disease polio in Pakistan.[48]
2022 Li Xiaopeng China Conferred by Pakistan's ambassador to China, Moin ul Haque, on behalf of President Arif Alvi, in recognition of strengthening Pakistan-China friendship and his role in the completion of important road connectivity projects in Pakistan under CPEC.[49]
2022 Sheila Jackson Lee United States Awarded by Arif Alvi in recognition of her outstanding services to Pakistan, including support for flood relief, broader Pakistan-US ties, and the Congressional Pakistan Caucus.[50]
2022 Mohammad bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa Saudi Arabia Awarded by Arif Alvi in recognition of his services to Pakistan in strengthening Pakistan-Saudi Arabia relations, scholarships for Pakistani students, safeguarding the rights of Pakistani expatriates, and promoting peace and harmony.[51]
2023 He Lifeng China Awarded by Arif Alvi in recognition of his contribution to Pakistan-China friendship and the promotion of CPEC.[52]
2023 Faisal bin Salman Saudi Arabia Conferred by Pakistan's ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Ahmad Farooq, in recognition of his outstanding services for Pakistan, including his support for education and welfare initiatives and facilitation for Pakistani workers in the Kingdom.[53]

Controversies

President Asif Ali Zardari was accused in 2011 for conferring 185 civil awards including the Hilal-e-Pakistan, to its federal Cabinet ministers and foreigners.[54] 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.[55]

See also

References

  1. "The Commonwealth Relations Office Year Book". 1964. p. 296.
  2. "Xi's visit to strengthen 'all-weather' strategic ties: Sharif". The Hindu. 2015-02-13. Retrieved 2020-03-07.
  3. "Civilian Awards - Emerging Pakistan". Emerging Pakistan. 2020-07-01. Archived from the original on 2020-07-01. Retrieved 2021-07-16.
  4. "National award: Ambassador Saravia proud of feeling 'almost Pakistani'". The Express Tribune. May 2, 2014.
  5. "UAE's deputy PM to receive Pakistan's highest civilian award". Arab News PK. August 20, 2019.
  6. "Pakistan Affairs". 1960.
  7. "Pakistani President confers top civilian award on Mansour bin Zayed". gulfnews.com. 21 August 2019.
  8. "Civilian Awards". Archived from the original on 2020-07-01. Retrieved 2020-03-05.
  9. "Hilal-E-Pakistan: Thai princess honoured". The Express Tribune. March 21, 2012.
  10. Reporter, The Newspaper's Staff (August 14, 2019). "Ibne Safi, Fehmida Riaz among 116 recipients of civil awards". DAWN.COM.
  11. "Xi's visit to strengthen 'all-weather' strategic ties: Sharif". Business Standard India. Press Trust of India. 2015-02-13. Retrieved 2020-03-07.
  12. "Ahmed, Justice Amin - Banglapedia". en.banglapedia.org.
  13. "Honour & Awards Policy" (PDF). December 22, 2018. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2018-12-22.
  14. "Recommendations for civil independence day 14th August, 2011" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-08-13.
  15. Paul, T. V.; Paul, Thazha Varkey (March 10, 1994). Asymmetric Conflicts: War Initiation by Weaker Powers. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 9780521466219 – via Google Books.
  16. Mohiuddin, Yasmeen Niaz (March 6, 2007). Pakistan: A Global Studies Handbook. ABC-CLIO. ISBN 9781851098019 – via Google Books.
  17. "Abdul W. Adamjee, Pakistani Magnate, Millionaire, Is Dead". The New York Times. July 5, 1972.
  18. Barque, Ali Mohammad (March 6, 1971). "Who's who in Pakistan". Barque. – via Google Books.
  19. "Pakistan Affairs". Information Division, Embassy of Pakistan. March 6, 1982 – via Google Books.
  20. Whitfield, Kate (September 9, 2019). "Dr Ruth Pfau: Who was 'Pakistan's Mother Theresa' celebrated in today's Google doodle?". Express.co.uk.
  21. "PID". pid.gov.pk.
  22. "Tribute to Sir Gerald Kaufman — a great friend of Pakistan". www.thenews.com.pk.
  23. Aftab, Analysis By M. "Abu Dhabi Group becomes a ringer". Khaleej Times.
  24. Al-Raqi, Salim. "Saif al-Islam Gaddafi receives Hilal-e-Pakistan from Shaukat Aziz". Al Jamahiriya Broadcast.
  25. "Hilal-i-Pakistan conferred on Prince Waleed". DAWN.COM. April 20, 2006.
  26. 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.
  27. "Hilal-i-Pakistan conferred on Prince Fahad". DAWN.COM. January 20, 2007.
  28. "137 Pakistanis, 17 foreigners get civil awards". DAWN.COM. August 15, 2007.
  29. "Pakistan gives awards to Biden, Lugar for support". Reuters. October 28, 2008 – via www.reuters.com.
  30. "Hilal-i-Pakistan awarded to Biden, Lugar". DAWN.COM. October 28, 2008.
  31. "Hilal-e-Pakistan for Ahmed Faraz". The Nation. 11 November 2010. Retrieved 13 April 2020.
  32. "Pakistan honours intel chief, gets lauded in return | India News - Times of India". The Times of India. 26 March 2011.
  33. "President confers Hilal-i-Pakistan on Dai Bingguo". DAWN.COM. December 24, 2011.
  34. Service, Tribune News. "Decoding China's 'Silver Fox'". Tribuneindia News Service.
  35. "Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn's Activities". sirindhorn.net.
  36. Reporter, The Newspaper's (February 7, 2014). "Hilal-i-Pakistan conferred on Unesco DG". DAWN.COM.
  37. "Azerbaijan's first lady Mehriban Aliyeva handed "Hilal-e-Pakistan" order VIDEO".
  38. "Mehriban Aliyeva awarded Hilal-e Pakistan Order". AzerNews.az. February 13, 2015.
  39. "President confers 'Hilal-e-Pakistan' on Chinese FM | SAMAA". Samaa TV.
  40. "President confers 'Hilal-e-Pakistan' award on Chinese FM". Archived from the original on 2021-04-20. Retrieved 2020-03-06.
  41. "Pakistan's civil awards conferred on Chinese dignitaries in Beijing - Pakistan". The News International. 2019-12-07. Retrieved 2021-03-23.
  42. "President Alvi confers top civil, military awards for excellence on Pakistan Day". DAWN.COM. 2019-03-23. Retrieved 2020-03-07.
  43. "Pakistan confers civilian award on Turkish officials". www.aa.com.tr.
  44. "Hilal-i-Pakistan conferred on Chinese Minister of IDCPC, Song Tao in Beijing". Associated Press of Pakistan. November 19, 2020.
  45. "Hilal-i-Pakistan award conferred upon Chinese commerce minister". Associated Press of Pakistan. December 10, 2020.
  46. "GENERAL ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT WRAPS UP VISIT TO PAKISTAN". General Assembly of the United Nations. 28 May 2021. Retrieved 29 May 2021.
  47. Sajid, Islamuddin (27 May 2021). "Pakistan gives UN General Assembly president high honor". Anadolu Agency. Retrieved 29 May 2021.
  48. "Pakistan honors Bill Gates for efforts on poverty, disease". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2022-02-19.
  49. "Li Xiaopeng conferred upon with Hilal-e-Pakistan at Embassy of Pakistan, Beijing". Associated Press of Pakistan. June 29, 2022.
  50. "President Confers Hilal-e-Pakistan upon US Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee". President of Pakistan. September 5, 2022.
  51. "President confers the award of Hilal-e-Pakistan upon Dr Muhammad bin Abdul Karim Al-Issa, Secretary General of the Muslim World League". President of Pakistan. October 10, 2022.
  52. "President confers Hilal-i-Pakistan award on Chinese vice-premier". President of Pakistan. July 31, 2023.
  53. "Pakistan confers Hilal-i-Pakistan on Madinah's governor Prince Faisal Bin Salman". Associated Press of Pakistan. December 13, 2023.
  54. Newspaper, the (August 14, 2011). "Civil awards lavished on key PPP members". DAWN.COM.
  55. "Breaking traditions: Civilian awards carry hefty price tag". The Express Tribune. September 4, 2011.