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| Nishan-e-Haider نشان حیدر | |
|---|---|
 Obverse of the Nishan-e-Haider | |
| Type | Medal |
| Awarded for | Acts of greatest heroism in circumstances of extreme danger in the presence of the enemy on land, at sea or in the air. In addition the person must have also died in the line of duty.[1] |
| Country | Islamic Republic of Pakistan |
| Presented by | Government of Pakistan |
| Eligibility | Military personnel only |
| Post-nominals | NH |
| Status | Active |
| Established | 16 March 1957[2] (applied retrospectively from 1948 onwards) |
| First awarded | 16 March 1957 – Indo-Pakistani War of 1947, Captain Muhammad Sarwar, Pakistan army |
| Last awarded | 15 July 1999 – Kargil War, Havildar Lalak Jan, Pakistan army |
| Total | 11 |
| Total awarded posthumously | 11 |
| Website | pakistanarmy.gov.pk |
| Precedence | |
| Next (higher) | None |
| Equivalent | 
Hilal-e-Kashmir |
| Next (lower) |  Hilal-e-Jurat |
Nishan-e-Haider (NH; Urdu: نشان حیدر, lit. 'Mark of the Lion' or 'Emblem of the Lion'), is the highest military gallantry award of Pakistan.[3][4] The Nishan-e-Haider is awarded posthumously and only to members of the Pakistan Armed Forces. It recognises the highest acts of extraordinary bravery in the face of the enemy in air, land, or sea. It has been awarded only 11 times since Pakistan's independence in 1947.
Nishan-e-Haider literally means "Emblem of the Lion" in the Urdu language.[5] The word "Haider" is also the epithet of Ali, who is referred to as the 'Lion of Allah', a valiant warrior and leader. Ali was the fourth Caliph of Islam and declared bravest person by Muhammad. He is known by his courage, bravery and power in Islam.[6]
- ^ "Honours and Awards". Archived from the original on 4 May 2017. Retrieved 15 May 2014.
- ^ "ODM of Pakistan: Order of the Lion".
- ^ "First 'Nishan-e-Haider' recipient Sawar Shaheed remembered – Lahore". The News International. 11 December 2017. Retrieved 20 April 2020.
- ^ "How an Indian officer helped an enemy captain win Pakistan's highest gallantry award". ThePrint. 24 July 2019. Retrieved 20 April 2020.
- ^ "Nishan e Haider: Detailed account of 10 heroes of Pakistan". Times of Islamabad. 7 September 2018. Retrieved 20 April 2020.
- ^ "ʿAlī | Muslim caliph". Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved 4 February 2018.