Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Tuesday emphasized the need to introduce rules for awarding distinguished individuals during their lifetimes as he conferred the Independence Award 2025 on seven luminaries for their outstanding contributions at the national level.
"The joy that the country, families, and individuals experience when people are awarded during their lifetimes cannot be compared to awards conferred posthumously," he said at the award distribution ceremony at Osmani Memorial Auditorium.
At the onset of his speech, Prof Yunus noted that among the awardees, six individuals being honored were "no longer with us."
"We should introduce rules ensuring that only living individuals are adorned with awards after we have honored all deserving deceased persons posthumously," he added.
Highlighting the impact of the awardees, the chief adviser said: "These distinguished individuals have elevated our nation. By awarding them, we, as a nation, are also honored."
"They have contributed immensely to the country. If we fail to recognize them during their lifetimes, we will be seen as an ungrateful nation. We must honor them at the right time," he added.
Cabinet Secretary Dr Sheikh Abdur Rashid conducted the function, which was attended by advisers, the chief adviser’s special assistants, the chiefs of the three services, the principal secretary to the chief adviser, and senior government officials, among others.