| Nishan-e-Haider | |
| Presenter: | Government of Pakistan |
| Country: | Islamic Republic of Pakistan |
| Type: | Medal |
| Eligibility: | Military personnel only |
| Awarded For: | Acts of greatest heroism in circumstances of extreme danger in the presence of the enemy on land, at sea or in the air. In addition the person must have also died in the line of duty.[1] |
| Status: | Active |
| Post-Nominals: | NH |
| Established: | 16 March 1957[2] (applied retrospectively from 1948 onwards) |
| Firstawarded: | 16 March 1957 – Indo-Pakistani War of 1947, Captain Muhammad Sarwar, Pakistan army |
| Lastawarded: | 15 July 1999 – Kargil War, Havildar Lalak Jan, Pakistan army |
| Total Awarded: | 11 |
| Total Awarded Posthumously: | 11 |
| Higher: | None |
| Same: | Hilal-e-Kashmir |
| Lower: | Hilal-e-Jurat |
| Awardname: | Nishan-e-Haider |
Nishan-e-Haider (NH; or 'Emblem of the Lion'), is the highest military gallantry award of Pakistan.[3] [4] 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.[5] 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.[6]
The Nishan-e-Haider was established by the Government of Pakistan and named after Ali on 14 August 1947, 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.
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.[7] [8]
The Nishan-e-Haider is manufactured by Pakistan Mint on the order of the Ministry of Defence. It is forged from captured enemy equipment[9] and consists of 88% copper, 10% gold, and 2% zinc.
| width=1% | No. | Name of the recipient | Regiment | Rank | Battle | Date of death |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Raja Muhammad Sarwar | Captain | Indo-Pakistani War of 1947 | 27 July 1948 | ||
| 2 | Saif Ali Janjua | Naik | Indo-Pakistani War of 1947 | 26 October 1948 | ||
| 3 | Tufail Mohammad | Major | Indo-Pakistani border skirmishes of 1958 | 7 August 1958 | ||
| 4 | Raja Aziz Bhatti | Major | Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 | 10 September 1965 | ||
| 5 | Rashid Minhas | No. 2 Fighter Conversion Unit, Pakistan Air Force | Pilot Officer | Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 | 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 | 20 Lancers, Punjab (Armoured Corps), Pakistan Army | Sowar | Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 | 10 December 1971 | ||
| 9 | 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 | |
Monuments or places named after recipients of Nishan-E-Haider include: