Nishan-e-Haider (NH; or 'Emblem of the Lion') is the highest military gallantry award of Pakistan. The Nishan-e-Haider is awarded only to members of the Pakistan Armed Forces. It recognises the highest acts of extraordinary bravery in the face of the enemy in air, land, or sea. It has been awarded only 11 times since Pakistan's independence in 1947.
Nishan-e-Haider literally means "Emblem of the Lion" in the Urdu language. The word "Haider" is also the epithet of Ali, who is referred to as the 'Lion of Allah', a valiant warrior and leader. Ali was the fourth Caliph of Islam and was declared by Muhammad as the bravest person. He is known by his courage, bravery and power in Islam.
History The Nishan-e-Haider was established by the Government of Pakistan and named after Ali on 14 August 1947, the year that Pakistan became an independent state in 1947. Pak became republic under the consttituion of 1956. It was applied retrospectively from the date of Pakistan's independence on 14 August 1947. It is Pakistan's highest award and takes precedence over all military and civil awards. Of the eleven Nishan-e-Haider recipients to date, ten have been from the Army and one from the Air Force.
Although some consider it equivalent to the British Victoria Cross and the United States Medal of Honor, it is unique in that it has so far been awarded only posthumously. At one point in time the Chief of Army Staff of Pakistan was asked why it was only awarded posthumously, his response reportedly that if it is awarded to a living person he may be involved in dishonourable conduct in the future which may disgrace the Award.
Criterion The Nishan-e-Haider can be awarded to all ranks of the Armed Forces for showing feats of extraordinary courage in confronting the enemy. As a matter of practice and precedent, it has only been awarded where it has been established that the recipient acted despite high risks and was martyred (shaheed) in the act.
Manufacturing The Nishan-e-Haider is manufactured by Pakistan Mint on the order of the Ministry of Defence. It is forged from captured enemy equipment and consists of 88% copper, 10% gold, and 2% zinc.
Recipients +Recipients No.Name of the recipientRegimentRankBattleDate of death1Raja Muhammad Sarwar2 Punjab Regiment(Haidri Awal), Pakistan Army CaptainIndo-Pakistani War of 194727 July 19482Saif Ali Janjua18 Azad Kashmir Regiment, Pakistan Army NaikIndo-Pakistani War of 194726 October 1948 3Tufail Mohammad13 Punjab Regiment, Border Guards East Pakistan Rifles, Pakistan Army MajorIndo-Pakistani border skirmishes of 19587 August 1958 4Raja Aziz Bhatti17 Punjab Regiment, Pakistan Army MajorIndo-Pakistani War of 196510 September 1965 5Rashid MinhasNo. 2 Fighter Conversion Unit, Pakistan Air ForcePilot OfficerBangladesh Liberation War20 August 1971 6Muhammad Akram4 Frontier Force Regiment, Pakistan ArmyMajorIndo-Pakistani War of 19715 December 1971 7Shabbir Sharif6 Frontier Force Regiment, Pakistan ArmyMajorIndo-Pakistani War of 19716 December 1971 8Muhammad Hussain 20 Lancers, Punjab (Armoured Corps), Pakistan ArmySowarIndo-Pakistani War of 197110 December 1971 9Muhammad Mahfuz 15 Punjab Regiment, Pakistan ArmyLance naikIndo-Pakistani War of 197117 December 1971 10Karnal Sher Khan 12 Northern Light Infantry, Pakistan ArmyCaptainKargil War5 July 1999 11Lalak Jan12 Northern Light Infantry, Pakistan ArmyHavildarKargil War7 July 1999
Legacy Monuments or places named after recipients of Nishan-E-Haider include: Captain Raja Muhammad Sarwar Bhatti Shaheed Monument, SanghoriMuhammad Imran Saeed (2011) Captain Raja Muhammad S. Bhatti Shaheed, Nishan-e-Haider on Flickr Major Raja Aziz Bhatti Shaheed Memorial, Lahore Shrine of Major Raja Aziz Bhatti Shaheed, Gujrat Rashid Minhas Boulevard, E-9 Islamabad Rashid Minhas Road, Gulberg Town Karachi Major Akram Shaheed Memorial, Jhelum Major Shabbir Sharif Shaheed Monument & Park, DHA LahoreDHA Lahore (2021) Inauguration of Major Shabbir Sharif monument & park Sawar Muhammad Hussain Stadium, Gujar Khan Karnal Sher Khan Stadium, Peshawar Karnal Sher Khan Cadet College, Swabi Karnal Sher Interchange, Mardan Lalak Jan Park, Multan Karnal Sher Khan Shaheed Road, Islamabad
See also
Hilal-e-Kashmir
References
External links