President Asif Ali Zardari conferred the prestigious Sitara-i-Imtiaz award on Asif Bashir in recognition of his extraordinary services in public service during a special investiture ceremony held at Aiwan-e-Sadr.
The ceremony was attended by Members of Parliament and other dignitaries.
As per the citation read out at the ceremony, Asif Bashir, a computer operator at the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Peshawar, was selected by the Federal Ministry of Religious Affairs to serve as Moavin-i-Hajj (Hajj Assistant) during the previous year’s Hajj operation.
During the Hajj, the temperature reached an extreme 51.8 degrees Celsius, causing severe hardship to several pilgrims. Despite the harsh conditions, Moavineen provided invaluable assistance to Pakistani and international pilgrims who often went unrecognized for their efforts.
Asif Bashir’s role was particularly crucial when he served in Mina, where the tents for pilgrims from Pakistan, India and other countries were set up.
On the 9th Zil Hajj, a heat wave caused several elderly pilgrims from Pakistan, India and the UK to faint, and tragically 1,300 people lost their lives that day. In the midst of this crisis, Asif Bashir and his five-man team responded quickly and offered first aid to the affected pilgrims. With remarkable determination, Asif Bashir physically carried 26 pilgrims, including 17 Indian nationals, on his shoulders to the hospital and saved their lives.
In recognition of his courageous actions, the Indian Minister of Minority Affairs sent a letter of appreciation acknowledging the extraordinary hospitality and responsibility shown by the Pakistani team.
Meanwhile, Pakistan is all set to introduce a new policy, “Ghar Se Ghar Tak”, to ensure increased support and relief for pilgrims traveling for Hajj in 2025.
Aimed at enhancing the overall Hajj experience, the initiative will provide a comprehensive service to pilgrims from their departure in Pakistan to their return.
Under the policy, official guides, known as nazmeen, will be appointed to assist pilgrims throughout their journey. A total of 600 nazmeen will be appointed, with a guide assigned for every 150 pilgrims.
These guides will accompany the pilgrims from Pakistan to Saudi Arabia and back, providing vital assistance in navigating the journey and performing Hajj rituals.
