You have to stand guard over the development and maintenance of democracy, social justice and the equality of mankind in your own native soil. [Mohammed Ali Jinnah]

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Imran Returns Hilal-e-Pakistan Award to Govt in Protest

Cricket legend-turned-politician Imran Khan has decided to return his prestigious Hilal-e-Pakistan award in protest over government conferring country’s top civilian awards to American Vice-President-elect Joe Biden and a State Department senior official Richard Boucher.

“I have decided in protest to return the award conferred on me for my services rendered in sports arena. I am disappointed and angered over government’s decision which neglected the sentiments of the people of this country who are frustrated and seething with anger with this deplorable decision”, Khan, chief of Tehrike Insaaf, told Khaleej Times.

President Asif Ali Zardari conferred Hilal-e-Pakistan to Joe Biden and Quaid-e-Azam Medal to Richard Boucher praising their unflinching support to Pakistan in helping the country in recent years through diplomatic channels.

Source: Khaleej Times