Civil decorations of Pakistan
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The Pakistan Civil Awards were established on March 19, 1957, following the proclamation of Pakistan as an independent Republic on March 23, 1956. The announcement of civil awards is generally made once a year on Independence Day, 14th of August, and their investiture takes place on the following Pakistan Day, 23rd of March.

Scope of the Awards

According to the Article 259(2) of the Constitution of Pakistan 1973, along with the Decorations Act 1975, the President of Pakistan confers civil awards on Pakistani citizens in recognition of gallantry, or distinction in academics, sports, or nursing.

The scope of the awards considers:

1. Gallantry in terms of an act of bravery, courage and offering dedicated services with selfless devotion in human rights: and public service.
2. Academic distinction includes research, achievement or performance in Medicine, Science, Engineering, Technology, Philosophy, History, Literature or the Fine arts, also an invention of national or international importance.

Also, the awards for Pride of Performance is conferred for outstanding achievements in the fields of Art, Literature, Science, Sports and Nursing.

'Pride of Performance' and the Orders of bravery and excellence are for the Pakistani citizens only, whereas the civil awards are open to all in any Order for eminence and outstanding services to Pakistan in a significant field of activity.

The Orders

The Civil Awards, as instituted in 1958, comprises five Orders.

1. Nishan-i-Pakistan (The Order of Pakistan)
2. Nishan-i-Shuja'at (The Order of Bravery)
3. Nishan-i-Imtiaz (The Order of Excellence)
4. Nishan-i-Quaid-i-Azam (The Order of the Great Leader)
5. Nishan-i-Khidmat (The Order of Service)

Each Order has four descending categories: Nishan (Order), Hilal (Crescent), Sitara (Star) and Tamgha (Medal), as follows:

1. Nishan-i-Pakistan
2. Nishan-i-Shuja’at
3. Nishan-i-Imtiaz
4. Nishan-i-Quaid-i-Azam
5. Nishan-i-Khidmat

1. Hilal-i-Pakistan
2. Hilal-i-Shuja’at
3. Hilal-i-Imtiaz
4. Hilal-i-Quaid-i-Azam
5. Hilal-i-Khidmat

1. Sitara-e-Pakistan
2. Sitara-i-Shuja'at
3. Sitara-i-Imtiaz
4. Presidential Award for Pride of Performance
5. Sitara-i-Quaid-i-Azam
6. Sitara-i-Khidmat

1. Tamgha-i-Pakistan
2. Tamgha-i-Shuja’at
3. Tamgha-i-Imtiaz
4. Tamgha-i-Quaid-i-Azam
5. Tamgha-i-Khidmat

Other civil awards

President's Award for Pride of Performance

Established on January 13, 1983 by president Zia-Ul-Haq, this award is in recognition of notable achievement in the fields of art, science, literature, sports or nursing. The award of the medal may be accompanied by a monetary award. The president of Pakistan reserves the right to confer the award, without a monetary addition, upon non-citizens of Pakistan.

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