Hilal-e-Pakistan

Hilal-e-Pakistan () is the second-highest civil award (in the hierarchy of "Hilale") of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. The award seeks to recognise 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. It is bestowed by the president of Pakistan once a year on the eve of Independence day.

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 was possibly first conferred upon Chief justice of Dhaka high court, Amin Ahmed.

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.

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

Notable recipients Year Image Awardees State / Country Note Ayub Khan Awarded by Zulfikar Ali Bhutto in recognition of playing a key role as a spokesperson at UN. Akhtar Hameed Khan Awarded in recognition of his role in academic and social development 1957 Amin Ahmed Awarded by Iskander Mirza in recognition of meritorious services 1958 Abdul Wahid Adamjee Awarded by Iskander Mirza in recognition of playing significant role in Pakistan's economic and industrial development 1967 Alvin Robert Cornelius Awarded by Ayub Khan in recognition of meritorious contribution to Pakistan's national interest 1983 Ronald I. Spiers Awarded by Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq in recognition of promoting friendly relations between Pakistan and United States 1989 Ruth Pfau Awarded by Ghulam Ishaq Khan in recognition of playing a significant role in controlling/removing leprosy outbreaks in Pakistan 1995 Gerald Kaufman Awarded by Farooq Leghari on the recommendations of Benazir Bhutto in recognition of contributing to Pakistan's diplomatic relations. 2005 Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan Awarded by Pervez Mushrraf in recognition of promoting economic relations between Pakistan and UAE. 2005 Saif al-Islam Gaddafi Libya Awarded by Shaukat Aziz in recognition of promoting economic relations between Pakistan and Libya. 2006 Al-Waleed bin Talal 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. 2006 Ryan Crocker Awarded by Pervez Musharraf in recognition of supporting Pakistan during 2005 earthquake 2007 Fahd bin Sultan Awarded by Pervez Musharraf in recognition of his endeavours for strengthening friendship and cooperation between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. 2008 Hamdan bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Awarded by Pervez Musharraf in recognition of rendering services to Pakistan. 2008 Joe Biden Awarded by Asif Ali Zardari in recognition of improving economy of Pakistan. 2010 Ahmad Faraz Posthumously awarded by Asif Ali Zardari in recognition of his contribution to poetry and literature. 2011 Ronald Noble Awarded by Asif Ali Zardari in recognition of supporting Pakistan to the world police body 2011 Dai Bingguo Awarded by Asif Ali Zardari in recognition of his meritorious services to Pakistan-China friendship and strategic cooperative partnership. 2012 Yang Jiechi Awarded by Asif Ali Zardari in recognition of enhancing foreign relations between Pakistan and China 2012 Sirindhorn Awarded by Asif Ali Zardari 2014 Irina Bokova Awarded in recognition of promoting cultural heritage of Pakistan and "helping during natural disasters". 2015 Mehriban Aliyeva Awarded in recognition of initiatives to establish a new modern school in Pakistan after the 2005 Kashmir earthquake 2015 Wang Yi Awarded in recognition of improving relations between Pakistan and China 2019 Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan Awarded by Arif Alvi in recognition of "supporting Pakistan in humanitarian and development fields" 2019 Xu Shaoshi Award was presented by Pakistan's ambassador to China, Naghmana Alamgir Hashmi, in recognition of promoting Belt and Road flagship project. 2019 İsmail Kahraman Awarded by Arif Alvi in recognition of playing significant role in enhancing relations between Pakistan and Turkey 2020 Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu Awarded by Arif Alvi 2020 Song Tao 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. 2020 Zhong Shan 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. 2021 Volkan Bozkır 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. 2022Bill GatesOn 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. 2022 Li Xiaopeng 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. 2022 Sheila Jackson Lee 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. 2022 Mohammad bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa 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. 2023 He Lifeng Awarded by Arif Alvi in recognition of his contribution to Pakistan-China friendship and the promotion of CPEC. 2023 Faisal bin Salman 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.

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. 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.

Hilal-e-Pakistan

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