Nishan-e-Haider
Template:Short description Template:More citations needed Template:EngvarB Template:Use dmy dates Template:Infobox award
Nishan-e-Haider (NH; Template:Langx or 'Emblem of the Lion') is the highest military gallantry award of Pakistan.<ref name="The News International 2017">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="ThePrint 2019">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> 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.<ref name="Times of Islamabad 2018">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> 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 declared bravest person by Muhammad. He is known by his courage, bravery and power in Islam.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
HistoryEdit
The Nishan-e-Haider was established by the Government of Pakistan and named after Ali on 14 August 1947,Template:Citation needed the year that Pakistan became a republic. 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.
CriterionEdit
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.<ref name=honours>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
ManufacturingEdit
The Nishan-e-Haider is manufactured by Pakistan Mint on the order of the Ministry of Defence. It is forged from captured enemy equipment<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and consists of 88% copper, 10% gold, and 2% zinc.
RecipientsEdit
| No. | Name of the recipient | Regiment | Rank | Battle | Date of death |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Raja Muhammad Sarwar | 2 Punjab Regiment(Haidri Awal), Pakistan Army | Captain | Indo-Pakistani War of 1947 | 27 July 1948 |
| 2 | Saif Ali Janjua | 5 Azad Kashmir regiment(HAIDER DIL)/18 Azad Kashmir Regiment, Pakistan Army | Naik | Indo-Pakistani War of 1947 | 26 October 1948 |
| 3 | Tufail Mohammad | 13 Punjab Regiment, Border Guards East Pakistan Rifles, Pakistan Army | Major | Indo-Pakistani border skirmishes of 1958 | 7 August 1958 |
| 4 | Raja Aziz Bhatti | 17 Punjab Regiment, Pakistan Army | Major | Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 | 10 September 1965 |
| 5 | Rashid Minhas | No. 2 Fighter Conversion Unit, Pakistan Air Force | Pilot Officer | Bangladesh Liberation War | 20 August 1971 |
| 6 | Muhammad Akram | 4 Frontier Force Regiment, Pakistan Army | Major | Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 | 5 December 1971 |
| 7 | Shabbir Sharif | 6 Frontier Force Regiment, Pakistan Army | Major | Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 | 6 December 1971 |
| 8 | Muhammad Hussain | 20 Lancers, Punjab (Armoured Corps), Pakistan Army | Sowar | Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 | 10 December 1971 |
| 9 | Muhammad Mahfuz | 15 Punjab Regiment, Pakistan Army | Lance naik | Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 | 17 December 1971 |
| 10 | Karnal Sher Khan | 12 Northern Light Infantry, Pakistan Army | Captain | Kargil War | 5 July 1999 |
| 11 | Lalak Jan | 12 Northern Light Infantry, Pakistan Army | Havildar | Kargil War | 7 July 1999 |
LegacyEdit
Monuments or places named after recipients of Nishan-E-Haider include:
- Captain Raja Muhammad Sarwar Bhatti Shaheed Monument, Sanghori<ref>Muhammad Imran Saeed (2011) Captain Raja Muhammad S. Bhatti Shaheed, Nishan-e-Haider on Flickr</ref>
- 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 Lahore<ref>DHA Lahore (2021) Inauguration of Major Shabbir Sharif monument & park</ref>
- 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 alsoEdit
ReferencesEdit
External linksEdit
Template:Pakistan honours and decorations Template:Highest Awards for gallantry