While Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Nisar Ali Khan termed the announcement of civil awards on the eve of Independence Day a “joke with the nation”, the government on Monday defended nominations of PPP leaders, saying conferment of these awards on public office-holders and government functionaries was not unusual, neither was it wrong.
“In fact, it is necessary and due recognition of their remarkable and courageous public service in the face of extreme politico-social, economic and security challenges confronted by today’s Pakistan,” said a government spokesman. Nisar said President Asif Zardari had taken all fields of life as his personal and family fiefdom. “The ridiculous distribution of national awards by President Zardari among his admirers, PPP workers and personal staff reminds us of the Ranjit Singh regime,” he said in a statement issued from his office.
He said Zardari was inclined to using his discretionary powers without following law and set procedures. “The national awards were distributed as if it was a sale,” he said, adding that the PML-N would raise the issue in the next National Assembly session. The opposition leader said the national awards should not be given on personal likes and dislikes and should also not be used as a political bribe or a prize. “The awards should be given keeping in mind the nominees’ national services,” he said.
Nisar said President Zardari had a habit of preferring his personal and party interests over supremacy of the law and the constitution. “The Presidency instead of being the protector of Pakistan has become a sub-office of the PPP,” he said. The government nominated central PPP leaders, including Senate Chairman Farooq Naik, National Assembly Speaker Fehmida Mirza, Interior Minister Rehman Malik, Secretary General to President Salman Faruqui and late Punjab governor Salmaan Taseer for Nishan-e-Imtiaz while Benazir Income Support Programme Chairwoman Farzana Raja, Pakistan’s Ambassador to the US Hussain Haqqani, Baitul Maal’s Chairman Zamurd Khan and President’s spokesman Farhatullah Babar had been nominated for Hilal-e-Imtiaz.
Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation Director General Murtaza Solangi, former adviser to Sindh chief minister Sharmila Faruqui and Cabinet Division Secretary Nargis Sethi will be conferred with Sitara-e-Imtiaz. Pakistan Hockey Federation President Qasim Zia will receive the President’s Pride of Performance’ award for his contribution in sports. Meanwhile, referring to a news story appearing in a section of the press, the government’s spokesperson said, “The democratic government notes with regret and sadness that an occasion of national pride for Pakistan on its 64th Independence Day has been mocked in a derogatory fashion and with complete disregard for national sentiments.”
“President Asif Ali Zardari has been pleased to confer Pakistan’s most prestigious civil awards on 185 outstanding Pakistani and international citizens belonging to all walks of life. This year’s 185 recipients include Pakistanis as well as international individuals who have rendered meritorious and outstanding services for the growth, development and prosperity of Pakistan. Conferment of these awards on public office holders and government functionaries is not unusual, neither it is wrong. In fact, it is a necessary and due recognition of their remarkable and courageous public service in the face of extreme politico-social, economic and security challenges confronted by today’s Pakistan,” the press release added.
It said, “Singling out government functionaries and public office holders from a list of 185 multi-representative awardees, and using it for petty political point-scoring is sad and reflects in poor taste. It is a particular cause for concern that a democratic government’s recognition of individuals who have struggled for democracy and who have dedicated their lives to building a democratic Pakistan despite innumerable challenges and dangers, should be put under a microscope having a biased, un-objective and lop-sided lens, whereas awards doled out by dictatorial regimes of the past have never been questioned so.”
