ISLAMABAD: In view of the Supreme Court’s orders in the Mehran-gate case to take action against General Mirza Aslam Beg, Pakistan’s PPP-led government may strip the former army chief of all his military as well as civilian medals, especially Tamgha-e-Jamhuriat or Medal of Democracy which was conferred upon him by the first government of Benazir Bhutto way back in 1988.
According to well-placed government officials, while it is premature to say whether the federal government would be in a position to take legal action against Beg and Durrani under Article 6 of the 1973 Constitution which deals with those violating the constitution, there is a possibility that the two generals would be stripped of their military and civilian medals, to begin with.
While during his active military career General Aslam Beg was decorated with Tamgha-e-Jamhuriat (Civil), Hilal-e-Imtiaz (Military), Nishan-e-Imtiaz (Military) and Sitara-e-Basalat (Military), Lieutenant General Durrani was conferred upon Hilal-e-Juraat (Military) and Hilal-e-Imtiaz (Military).
A military or civilian decoration is awarded to an individual by the state of Pakistan as a distinctively designed mark of honour denoting heroism or meritorious or outstanding service or achievement.
College in Swat to be named after Malala
ISLAMABAD: A college in the Swat Valley in Pakistan’s north-western region is to be named after teenage peace icon Malala Yousafzai by the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) provincial government.
The Saidu Sharif Degree College will thus become the first college in the valley to be named after a woman.
Many girl students in the valley welcomed the decision and uttered many words of appreciation.
“Finally the government has realised that a college should be named after a female. The move does not only honour Malala, but all the girls of KP,” said Sumaira, a fourth year student at the college.
“Malala is the daughter of this land, an upholder of girls’ rights and an activist who fights for the education of girls. There is no joy greater than that of studying at the Malala Degree College,” said Neelam, a student of FSc, who was one of Malala’s school friends.
Girls from Swat expressed great pride over the fact that Malala belonged to their land. However, happiness over the government’s decision to rename the college was mingled with surprise.
“We never expected that the college will be named after Malala. We are now pleased to know are girls are being given due importance,” said Sunbal Ghafar, a student of BA.
Internews
