Daily Times

A true moment of celebration is when art get recognised and praised. It looks like the government is finally learning how to value our artist. Author and journalist Mohammed Hanif has been awarded the third highest civilian award by Pakistani government, Sitara-e-Imtiaz.

An avid reader as a child, Mohammed Hanif grew up in a remote village in Punjab and then graduated from Pakistan Airforce Academy as a pilot. Hanif, however, left airforce to pursue his dream career as a journalist. He first lived and worked from Karachi and later moved to London. He has worked as a journalist, a novelist and, most recently, a playwrighter.

He initially worked for Newsline and wrote for The Washington Post and India Today. A graduate of the University of East Anglia, Hanif moved to London and begin to work for the BBC in 1996, where he remained until 2008. Along with being a journalist and novelist, Hanif is also a playwright.

Hanif’s distinguished work also includes a feature film, ‘The Long Night’ (2002), a BBC radio play, ‘What Now, Now That We Are Dead?’ and the stage play ‘The Dictator’s Wife’ (2008). His second novel, ‘Our Lady of Alice Bhatti’, was published in 2011, while his next novel, titled Red Birds, has been acquired by Bloomsbury and is expected to release in September 2018.

The writter took to twitter to announce his award and to celebrate his achievement with his fans in a statement that was both witty and positive. The writer wrote: “Thank you all for your lovely messages. Now can someone pls tell me how does one collect it because GoP is a bit coy on the subject. Thrilled at the prospects of meeting fellow winners Fidel and Amanullah. Hope we all get to party with President Mamnun”.

Some people however, were more focused about the functioning of the government as Hussain Haqani, a former Paksitani Ambassador said in reply to Hanif’s tweet: “My first thought: he shd collect the award as soon as possible. My Hilal-e-Imtiaz from 2011 never got delivered and no one in GoP even responds to correspondence on the subject”.

The writers and his fellows belonging to same circle of arts and culture congratulated him on his achievment. A very renownd author and novelist, Kamila Shamsie wrtote: “Well done – to the Pakistan government for having the wisdom to honour @mohammedhanif, whose pen will remain as sharp as ever regardless of state awards.”

Another writer Ammara Ahmed tweeted : “@mohammedhanif has won the third highest civilian award in Pakistan- Sitara-e-Imtiaz. He has been writing against injustice, state brutality & enforced disappearances. Proud that Pak govt has shown some maturity by recognising a great voice despite its dissent.”

Bilal Tanveer, the author of ‘The Scatter Here is too Great’ tweeted: “I am so thrilled, so moved, so utterly delighted with this news. Our very best. Love and solidarity @mohammedhanif”.

People thought that it is a great step by Pakistani Governmenta and came forward with a praise for the government as well. Zaffar Abbas wrote: “When a government or the state honours someone like @mohammedhanif , it is in fact honouring itself.”

Hassan Zaidi, a close friend of Hanif and a filmamker himself, tweeted to congratulate the author on his achievent.Hanif’s friend seem to posses same sense of humour as Hanif himslef. Zaidi wrote: “One friend (@mohammedhanif) gets a sitara-e-imtiaz, another a pride of performance (Harris Khalique) and all I can think of is how to embarrass them when we meet.”

Apart from his creative circle, his fans also came forward to share his celebration. Fasi Zaka tweeted:

“Congratulations! Well deserved”. Another user Benazir Jatoi seemed really happy on his achievemnt and said: “Learning about your Sitara-e-Imtiaz has made my day! GoP can redeem itself after all.”

Journalist Omar Warraich said, “This is really great and so richly deserved, although I suspect Hanif is not one to care much about official honours.”

Author Faiza Khan said, “I think we’re all more excited for what this award says about Pakistan rather than what it says about Hanif. We already know he’s brilliant!”

Journalist Veengas tweetd, “Hanif ji may agree with my point that such kind of actions are always for big province, otherwise Baloch/Pashtun/Sindhis all are considered as narrow-minded, Ghaddar traitor. Govt should treat all citizens equally. M. Hanif I really appreciate you and congratulations”

User Shafa wrote, “ that’s surprising! I mean on the part of the govt congratulations Mr Hanif”

User DS Tariq said, “He is a master craftsman.His cutting edge , brutally honest and precise analysis makes him one of the most venerable contemporary Pakistani novelist.”

Journalist Omar Warraich said, “This is really great and so richly deserved, although I suspect Hanif is not one to care much about official honours.”

Late human rights activist and lawyer Asma Jahangir will also be be conferred the Nishan-e-Imtiaz award on Pakistan Day to honour her public services for the country.

The President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, as the Head of State, will be conferring the Pakistan Civil Awards on citizens, as well as foreign nationals, for showing excellence and courage in their respective fields, says the release.

A formal ceremony in this regard will take place on Pakistan Day, March 23rd, 2018.

Reports indicate that the awards are expected to be conferred upon 141 individuals, including Jahangir.

Prominent among them are two personalities for whom the awards are posthumous, Fidel Castro Ruz of Cuba, who will be honoured with the Nishan-e-Pakistan (Service to Pakistan) award, and Asma Jahangir, who will be conferred the Nishan-e-Imtiaz (Award for Public Service).

Apart from these names, Anjum Tauqir from Sindh will also be honoured with a Hilal-e-Imtiaz for his work in the field of metallurgy, among others.

Pride of Performance award in journalism have also been announced for Hanif Khalid, Tahir Khalil, Nawaz Raza, and Ameen Hafeez.

We are now eagrly waiting fro his upcoming novel and we hope that he meets all the expectation

Published in Daily Times, March 18^th 2018.