By Dr. Alamdar Hussain Malik
As Pakistan prepares to celebrate another Independence Day, the announcement and conferment of civil awards once again becomes a matter of national attention. Civil awards are an important tradition. A nation has every right—and indeed a responsibility—to recognise individuals who have rendered exceptional services to the country.
There is nothing inherently wrong with honouring outstanding Pakistanis. Scientists, teachers, doctors, engineers, soldiers, farmers, entrepreneurs, artists, writers, researchers, philanthropists and dedicated public servants who have genuinely contributed to national development deserve appreciation.
But in a country facing serious economic difficulties, an uncomfortable question also deserves to be asked:
When millions of Pakistanis are struggling with inflation, unemployment, rising utility bills, taxation, declining purchasing power and an uncertain economic future, what should our national honours represent?
This is not a question against any particular recipient of a civil award. Nor is it an argument against the civil awards themselves. It is a question about national priorities, merit and the meaning of public service.
Pakistan today stands at a critical economic crossroads. Although recent fiscal and macroeconomic indicators show some signs of stabilisation, the country’s economic challenges remain enormous. Debt servicing, limited fiscal space, unemployment, weak exports, low productivity and the rising cost of living continue to put pressure on both the government and ordinary citizens.
In such circumstances, the phrase “Honours Amid Hardship” acquires a special meaning.
A civil award should represent more than an individual’s position, influence, fame or proximity to power. It should represent a measurable contribution to Pakistan.
A scientist who develops a technology that saves foreign exchange deserves recognition.
An agricultural expert who substantially increases crop or livestock productivity deserves recognition.
A researcher who develops an indigenous vaccine or diagnostic technology deserves recognition.
An entrepreneur who creates thousands of productive jobs deserves recognition.
A teacher who transforms generations of students deserves recognition.
A public servant who introduces reforms that save billions of rupees and improve governance deserves recognition.
These are the kinds of contributions that can change the economic destiny of a country.
Unfortunately, there is often a perception that national recognition is influenced by status, institutional position, political connections, social influence or visibility. Whether or not this perception is justified in individual cases, the existence of such a perception itself should concern us.
National honours must remain above controversy.
The selection process should therefore be as transparent, merit-based and evidence-driven as possible.
Pakistan should consider establishing clearly defined criteria for civil awards. The contribution of every nominee should, wherever possible, be evaluated against tangible indicators: scientific discoveries, patents, exports generated, jobs created, foreign exchange saved, public expenditure reduced, institutions strengthened, lives improved, educational achievements, technological innovations and international recognition.
There is also a need to recognise the silent nation-builders.
Across Pakistan, thousands of professionals work quietly in universities, laboratories, hospitals, farms, industries, research centres and public institutions. They rarely appear on television and often have no political or social influence. Yet their contribution to Pakistan may be far greater than that of many who remain constantly visible in public life.
A nation should not allow visibility to become a substitute for merit.
Pakistan also needs to redefine the concept of national prestige.
For too long, we have measured prestige through positions, titles, protocol and ceremonies. In the present economic environment, however, national prestige should increasingly be associated with productivity, innovation, exports, employment, knowledge and institutional performance.
Our national heroes should include those who make Pakistan economically stronger.
Who will increase our exports?
Who will reduce our dependence on imported technology?
Who will transform agriculture and livestock?
Who will create employment for our rapidly growing young population?
Who will develop internationally competitive universities and research institutions?
Who will produce indigenous vaccines, medicines and diagnostic technologies?
Who will reduce wastage and corruption in public institutions?
Who will save billions of rupees of public money through genuine reforms?
These are not merely economic questions. They are questions about the future of Pakistan.
The civil awards system can play a significant role in promoting these national priorities.
Imagine if, every year, Pakistan prominently recognised its leading contributors to export growth, agricultural transformation, technological innovation, scientific research, job creation, public-sector reform, education, healthcare and poverty reduction.
Such recognition would send a powerful message to our youth.
It would tell them that Pakistan rewards merit rather than influence, achievement rather than position, innovation rather than connections, and service rather than status.
This is particularly important for the younger generation. Pakistan has a huge population of educated and talented young people. They need examples of success that are linked to national service.
A young scientist should be able to look at a civil award and think: If I solve a major Pakistani problem, my country will recognise me.
A young entrepreneur should think: If I create employment and generate exports, my contribution will matter.
A young teacher should believe: If I educate and transform thousands of students, society will value my service.
A young researcher should know: If I develop an indigenous technology, Pakistan will celebrate the achievement.
This is how national honours can become an instrument of national development.
At the same time, we must be careful not to reduce the value of public service merely to economic statistics. National service has many dimensions. A soldier defending the country, a doctor saving lives, a teacher educating disadvantaged children, an artist promoting Pakistan’s cultural identity and a philanthropist serving vulnerable communities all make valuable contributions.
The objective should not be to commercialise national honours.
Rather, the objective should be to ensure that genuine national service remains the central principle of recognition.
Pakistan’s economic crisis makes this discussion even more relevant.
We cannot build a prosperous country simply by celebrating prosperity. We have to create it.
We cannot overcome economic hardship merely by announcing reforms. We have to implement them.
We cannot reduce unemployment simply by producing degrees. We have to create productive employment.
We cannot increase exports simply by setting targets. We have to develop competitive products and services.
And we cannot strengthen national institutions merely by changing office-holders. We need institutional reform, accountability and professional competence.
Therefore, the civil awards of the future should ideally celebrate people who help Pakistan achieve these objectives.
Honours Amid Hardship should not mean that a struggling nation has stopped appreciating excellence. On the contrary, it should mean that a nation facing hardship has become more careful about what it chooses to celebrate.
Pakistan does not need fewer honours.
Pakistan needs more meaningful honours.
We need honours that inspire.
We need honours that represent sacrifice.
We need honours that reward innovation.
We need honours that encourage young Pakistanis to serve their country.
Above all, we need honours that command the respect of the ordinary citizen.
The highest national recognition should ultimately be something that every Pakistani can look at with pride and say: This person truly served Pakistan.
At a time when the economy is under enormous pressure and every public resource matters, the definition of national service must become broader, deeper and more meaningful.
Let us honour our heroes.
But let us also ask ourselves who our heroes should be.
Perhaps the greatest civil honour should go not merely to those who have achieved something for themselves, but to those whose achievements have made Pakistan stronger, more productive, more self-reliant and more prosperous.
Because in an economically troubled Pakistan, the greatest honour should belong to those who do more than succeed personally.
The greatest honour should belong to those who help Pakistan succeed.
The writer is Advisor Academics
University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Swat and Former Financial Advisor Finance Division Government of Pakistan