New Delhi

This Republic Day will have a special guest from Pakistan. Asif Bashir, a resident of Peshawar, who saved the lives of 44 Hajj pilgrims including 24 Indians last year, will receive one of India’s highest civilian awards for his extraordinary act and be the guest of the State of India during the celebrations.

Asif Bashir will receive "Jeevan Rakshak Padak" from President Droupadi Murmu in the run up to the Republic Day. This award, which is given to people who save lives in  situations such as drowning, accidents, fires, electrocution, and natural disasters, will be given to him for his heroic and selfless rescue efforts during Hajj 2024.

Bashir was serving as a volunteer during last year’s Hajj in Saudi Arabia. During this time Mina, a key stoppage for pilgrims was under a heat wave fir five days from June 22 to 27, when many pilgrims faced health problems.

During these five days, Asif Bashir provided first aid to about 350 pilgrims. His most notable contribution was to lift 50 seriously ill pilgrims who were declared in critical condition by the medical team. He carried them on his shoulders to a medical centre about two kilometres away. Of them 44, including 24 Indians survived.

What is shocking is that the government of Pakistan has no clue to Bashir’s heroic act so far

Asif Bashir will become the second person in the history of Peshawar after Abdul Ghaffar Khan to be honoured with a civilian award by the Government of India.

Accepting the offer from the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs, Asif Bashir said, “This award is for all of Pakistan. I acted based on humanity, without regard to nationality. Being honored as a state guest in India is a privilege for all Pakistanis. As a Peshawar native, I dedicate this honor to my fellow Peshawaris.”

He also said that his actions were for humanity. His effort was to ensure that no person's life is lost, regardless of the country or religion he belongs to.

Pakistan has also confered civilians awards on Indians. Islamabad confered Tamgha-e-Pakistan, Pakistan's fourth highest civilian honor, in 1987 on  on Neerja Bhanot (posthumous) for her courage and kindness in saving passengers during the hijacking of Pan Am Flight 73 in 1986.

Pakistan confered its highest civilian award - the Nishan-e-Pakistan - on Indian Prime Minister on 19 May 1990.

India’s announcement of the award for the Peshawar resident has caused a huge embarrassment to the government of Pakistan as none of its organs seems to have a clue to Asif bashir’s act of bravery.

The report first came in Pakistani media, mostly because the government of India must have contacted Bashir to obtain his consent.

The Pakistan You Tubers are blasting the Shehbaz Sharif government for having no record of Bashir Asif’s extraordinary act of bravery.

It seems Sharif has sought a report from the concerned ministries about this honor of Asif Bashir. Along with this, the Prime Minister's Office has directed that it should be investigated whether Bashir has been nominated for the National Civil Award or not.

The Pakistani analysts say their ambassador in Saudi Arabia has no record of Asif Bashir’s act.

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The British government has also praised Bashir's actions and nominated him for the "King Gallantry Award". This award is given in Britain to those individuals who have shown bravery and courage in emergency situations.