NISHAN-E-HAIDER
Nishan-e-Haider or Nishan-e-Hyder (Urdu: نشان حیدر, translated as "Emblem of Haider, where Haider is the epithet of Hazrat Ali and means Lion", abbreviated as NH) is the highest military decoration given by Pakistan. It was established in 1957 after Pakistan became a Republic, however, it was instituted retrospectively from Independence in 1947. It is awarded to military personnel, regardless of rank, for extraordinary bravery in combat.[3] The award is considered to be the highest military award and is only awarded to those who have sacrificed their life. Its exclusivity may be gauged by the fact that since it was established only 11 awards have been made, along with one equivalent award. To date all awards have been made posthumously. However, death of the individual during the act of extreme courage is not mandatory for qualification for Nishan-e-Haider. Of the 10 recipients, 9 have been from the Pakistan Army, one has been from the Pakistan Air Force and no one from Pakistan Navy.
THE PERSON WHO RECEIVED THIS AWARD
- Captain Muhammad Sarwar Shaheed (1910–July 27, 1948), 2/1st Punjab
- Major Muhammad Tufail Shaheed (1914–August 7, 1958), East Pakistan Rifles
- Major Raja Aziz Bhatti Shaheed (1928–September 10, 1965), 17 Punjab
- Major Muhammad Akram Shaheed (1938–1971), 4 FF
- Pilot Officer Rashid Minhas Shaheed (1951–August 20, 1971), PAF Training Squadron
- Major Shabbir Sharif Shaheed (1943–December 6, 1971), 6 FF
- Sowar Muhammad Hussain Shaheed (1949–December 10, 1971), 20 Lancers
- Lance Naik Muhammad Mahfuz Shaheed (1944–December 17, 1971), 15 Punjab
- Captain Karnal Sher Khan Shaheed (1970–July 5, 1999), 12 NLI
- Havildar Lalak Jan Shaheed (1967–July 7, 1999), 12 NLI
