ISLAMABAD: Asif Ali Zardari has approved the award of Sitara-i-Shujaat for Liaqat Shaheed, a civilian who sacrificed his life while stopping a suicide bomber near Kohat, in recognition of his bravery and sacrifice.
According to an official statement issued on Wednesday, the award was approved by the president on the recommendation of Shehbaz Sharif.
Paying tribute to Liaqat Shaheed, President Zardari said the brave citizen had prevented a major loss of life by confronting the suicide attacker.
“Liaqat Shaheed’s courage, sense of duty and sacrifice are a shining example for the nation,” the president said, adding that the martyr displayed exceptional bravery by standing firm in front of the attacker.
According to security sources, the incident occurred in the inter-provincial area between Jand tehsil in Punjab and Khushal Garh Bridge in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where the suspected militant affiliated with Fitna al-Khawarij was moving through agricultural fields.
Liaqat, a retired employee of Pakistan Railways and a local resident, reportedly intercepted the suspect and demanded identification before the militant detonated explosives.
The blast resulted in the martyrdom of Liaqat and the death of the attacker.
President Zardari said the nation saluted its brave son for his extraordinary courage and sacrifice in preventing a possible large-scale tragedy.
