Nishan-e-Pakistan

Nishan-e-Pakistan (Urdu: نشانِ پاکستان, lit. ' Grand Cross of the Order of Pakistan') is the highest civilian award of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.^[2] It is awarded to "those who have rendered services of highest distinction" to the national interest of Pakistan. Nishan is awarded to government officials and civilians, including citizens of Pakistan and foreign nationals. In the Pakistan honours system, Nishan-e-Pakistan is equivalent to Nishan-e-Haider, the highest military gallantry award.^[1] Established on 19 March 1975 under the Decorations Act, 1975,^[3] the award is not correlated to the rank or status of a person.^[1]

Nishan-e-Pakistan نشانِ پاکستان
Awarded by Government of Pakistan
Type	National Civilian
Established	19 March 1957
Country	Pakistan
Eligibility	Heads of State
Criteria	"rendered services of highest distinction" to the national interest of Pakistan.[1]
Grades	Grand Cross Grand Officer Commander Member
Post-nominals	N.Pk
Statistics
First induction	1959
Last induction	2024
Precedence
Next (higher)	Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Pakistan
Next (lower)	Grand Officer of the Order of Pakistan
Service Ribbon of the Nishan-e-Pakistan

This award, including other civilian awards, is announced on Independence Day (14 August) each year and its investiture takes place on the following Pakistan Resolution Day (23 March) by the president of Pakistan.^[4] This award can also be awarded posthumously,^[5] and all the recipients are entitled to the post-nominal NPk.