Question raised over criteria for awarding civil awards

The Senate Standing Committee on Cabinet Secretariat has raised questions over the criteria for awarding civil awards to various personalities.

The committee met with Senator Muhammad Talha Mehmood in the chair here at Parliament House on Thursday. The committee discussed National/Civil /Gallantry/Pride of Performance Award as well as job quota of the provinces in various departments of the federal capital.

The members of the committee raised question on giving civil awards to Pakistan Super League's team Peshawar Zalmi owner Muhammad Javed Afridi and actress Mehwish Hayat.

The Committee Chairman, Talha Mehood, asked the secretary to present the recording of the meeting of the Award Committee. The secretary told the committee that there is no system of recording Award Committee's meetings. However, he said the minutes of the meeting of Award Committee would be submitted to the standing committee. He said that 23-member committee was headed by then Minister for Planning, Development and Reforms Khusro Bakhtiar. He said that other members of Award Committee are mostly secretaries of various ministries.

Tallha Mehmood said, "It seems the decision of giving award had been taken on a cup of tea by the minister. A record of all meetings of Award Committee should be submitted to the standing committee of the Upper House of the Parliament."

Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Azam Khan Swati said the Cabinet Division circulates a message every year in February in this regard and receives recommendations from all federal departments within two months. In 2019, more than 500 recommendations were received and 127 people were awarded civil awards, he said.

The committee chairman asked on which basis the award was given to Javed Afridi, a businessman. He asked why awards were not given to those national heroes who shot down Indian planes.

The committee also recommended to include the representatives of federal and provincial assemblies in the Award Committee.

While discussing the issue of quota of the provinces, Senator Dr Sikandar Ali Mandhro said that one year has passed but the problem is still there. He said that appointments have not been fulfilled in accordance with the quota of Sindh province.

Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Azam Swati told the committee that the Prime Minister has constituted a committee to address this issue. He assured the committee that the relevant committee constituted by the Prime Minster would resolve the issue and present its recommendations within three weeks.