BRUSSELS/ISLAMABAD, (Unib Rashid) – A fresh debate has emerged in Pakistan over the criteria and merit for national civil awards after journalist Ashba Kamran wrote to President Asif Ali Zardari seeking a review and withdrawal of certain honours announced on August 14, 2026.

In her letter, dated August 15, Kamran argued that the practice of awarding civil honours merely for the performance of routine official duties should be discontinued. She questioned whether serving government officials, federal secretaries and ministers should receive national awards for responsibilities that already fall within their regular, salaried positions.

Kamran has challenged the awards in the context of Article 259(2) of the Constitution of Pakistan and the Decorations Act, 1975, arguing that state honours should primarily recognise exceptional public service, acts of bravery, distinguished services by the armed forces, academic excellence and other genuinely outstanding contributions.

Titled “Final Notice Against the Unconstitutional Award of Civil Honours Under Article 259(2) of the Constitution and the Decorations Act, 1975,” the letter calls for a fresh review of the civil awards announced on August 14.

Kamran has urged the President to issue an executive order withdrawing those awards which, according to her, were granted to serving civil servants and ministers merely for carrying out their routine official responsibilities.

She has also called for directions to the Cabinet Division to ensure that, in future, nominations based solely on the ordinary administrative duties of an officer or public office-holder are not accepted for national honours.

Article 259 of the Constitution provides the basic constitutional framework concerning national honours, while the Decorations Act, 1975, together with the relevant Cabinet Division procedures and policies, provides the legal and administrative framework governing the nomination and conferment of civil awards.

Under the established procedure, nominations for civil awards are submitted by ministries, divisions and provincial governments. These nominations are subsequently scrutinised through the prescribed committees and procedures before being forwarded for final approval.

The letter has also triggered discussion on social media regarding the purpose, standards and merit of national civil awards. Some users have questioned whether senior government officials should be honoured when the country continues to face significant economic, administrative and security challenges.

Some commentators argued that national awards risk losing their prestige if they are routinely conferred for the discharge of ordinary official responsibilities. Others, however, described the debate as secondary to Pakistan’s more pressing economic and governance concerns, including petroleum prices, taxation, inflation, energy policy and broader economic management.

At the centre of the controversy is a fundamental question: Should a national civil award be granted on the basis of holding public office and performing the duties attached to that office, or should it recognise exceptional services that produce a demonstrable and significant impact at the national or public level?

National honours are generally regarded as a symbol of the state’s recognition of distinguished service. Their credibility therefore depends heavily on transparency, merit and the demonstration of exceptional achievement.

Kamran’s letter has placed these questions before the President and the relevant authorities. It remains to be seen whether the authorities will take any action on her request.

The controversy, however, has already renewed public discussion in Pakistan about the standards for national honours, merit, official performance, transparency, alleged favouritism and accountability within the state awards system.