The conferment of civil awards is a solemn occasion, meant to recognize exceptional contributions to a nation. It is a tradition that holds immense prestige and is a symbol of the highest recognition a state can bestow upon its citizens. However, the recent trend of bestowing these honors on individuals with questionable credentials and apparent political affiliations has raised serious concerns about the integrity of the award system.
Pakistan, like many other countries, has a system of civil awards to acknowledge outstanding achievements. The recent announcement of awards by President Asif Ali Zardari, while including some deserving recipients, has also raised eyebrows due to the inclusion of individuals whose contributions appear far from extraordinary.
It should be noted that India, with a population of 1.4 billion, conferred 132 awards. In contrast, Pakistan, with a population of just 230 million, bestowed 104 awards.
While it is commendable to recognize achievements in fields like science, technology, education, medicine, literature, public service, and arts, as exemplified by the award to Arshad Nadeem for his Olympic gold, the inclusion of certain other names has cast a long shadow over the entire process.
Omar Farooq, an overseas Pakistani conferred with the Hilal-e-Imtiaz for public service, is a case in point. His involvement in the controversial watch purchase from former Prime Minister Imran Khan has raised questions about his suitability for such a high honor. Similarly, Dr. Tauqeer Shah, a close associate of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and linked to the Model Town tragedy, raises concerns about the politicization of the award system.
The inclusion of Khawaja Anwar Majeed, owner of the Omni Group and allegedly a front man for President, is even more alarming. His name on the list of recipients is a blatant disregard for the principles of transparency and merit.
These instances highlight a disturbing trend: the misuse of civil awards for political patronage and to reward loyalty rather than merit. Such actions not only dilute the prestige of the awards but also erode public trust in the institutions responsible for conferring them.
The process through which these awards are finalized requires urgent scrutiny. It is essential to establish transparent and objective criteria for selection. An independent committee of experts from various fields should be entrusted with the task of evaluating nominations. Public input could also be sought to enhance transparency and accountability.
Furthermore, there is a need to revisit the eligibility criteria for civil awards. While political contributions cannot be entirely discounted, they should not be the primary basis for selection. The focus should be on individuals who have made exceptional contributions to society, irrespective of their political affiliations.
The conferment of civil awards should be a celebration of excellence, not a tool for political expediency. By restoring the integrity of the award system, the nation can ensure that these honors continue to be a source of pride and inspiration for generations to come.
It is imperative that the authorities address these concerns promptly and take corrective measures to prevent such controversies from recurring. The credibility of the state and its institutions depends on it.
The people of Pakistan deserve a transparent and merit-based system of civil awards. It is time to reclaim the honor of these awards and ensure that they are bestowed only upon those who truly deserve them.
The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Coverpage’s editorial stance
