President Dr Arif Alvi on Monday approved to confer Tamgha-e-Shahjaat (Medal of Courage) to Malik Adnan the hero of Sialkot Tragedy.

Malik Adnan, who tried to save the Sri Lankan citizen Priyantha Kumara from the mob, will be given Tamgha-e-Shahjaat on 23rd March 2022.

President Arif Alvi has approved for Malik Adnan to be given civil Award under article 259(2).

On December 25, in recognition of demonstrating exemplary bravery, Prime Minister Imran Khan saluted the moral courage and bravery of Malik Adnan who tried his utmost to shelter and save Priyantha Diyawadana from the vigilante mob in Sialkot, endangering his own life by physically trying to shield the victim, announced Tamgha-e-Shujaat for Malik Adnan.

In a tweet on social media platform Twitter on Sunday, he said, “On behalf of the nation I want to salute moral courage & bravery of Malik Adnan who tried his utmost to shelter & save Priyantha Diyawadana from the vigilante mob in Sialkot, endangering his own life by physically trying to shield victim. We will award him Tamgha i Shujaat.”

 
Later, talking to media after receiving letter of appreciation from the PM, Malik Adnan said that his passion that day was to somehow save the Sri Lankan citizen, he did not want any incident to happen that would tarnish the image of the country.

"I hope this incident would be a turning point for the nation and will change the thinking of the whole of Pakistan, because the future generation will be better nurtured if the mindset changed," he said.

He thanked the Prime Minister for awarding him a commendation certificate and Tamgha e Shujaat, adding that after the incident the way the nation stood with him, he was thankful to everybody.

He said his parents and teachers always advised him to stand with the oppressed even at the cost of one’s life. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said one who saved a human saved the whole of humanity, he added.

He said Priyantha Kumara was a good human being, friend, and the best manager and people trained by him were working at high posts in different companies of the country.