RAWALPINDI – Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif was honoured on Wednesday with Brazil’s coveted Order of Merit Award. “General Raheel Sharif was awarded “Order of Merit” in a special ceremony in recognition of his leadership for successful fight against multiple threats,” Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Lieutenant General Asim Bajwa said in his message on social media. “The army chief is the first Asian to have been honoured with this coveted award,” Bajwa said. “Order of merit has been given to General Raheel Sharif for displaying remarkable courage to deal with the menace of terrorism, successfully leading the army in the face of multiple threats, giving hope to his nation against dismay and despondency and above all for his great efforts to promote peace and stability in the region,” a statement from the Brazilian government read. “General Raheel Sharif through his undaunting resolve, unflinching sincerity and impeccable professional commitment has become a leading figure in the world. His contribution to promote exemplary ties between Pakistan and Brazil in general and the two armies in particular are enormous and unprecedented,” the statement said. The army chief is currently on a three-day tour to Brazil. On Tuesday, General Raheel met with Brazil’s armed forces Chief of Joint Staff General Jose Carlos De Nardi, who lauded Pakistan Army’s professionalism and operational achievements especially in ongoing counter terrorism operations.