Group Captain Cecil Chaudhry posthumously honoured

Group Captain (Rtd) Cecil Chaudhry was posthumously awarded the President’s Award for Pride of Performance, one of the highest civil awards in Pakistan, by the President of Pakistan on Pakistan Day on 23 March.

At the investiture ceremony at the Governor’s House in Lahore, Cecil S Chaudhry received the award on behalf of his father, who was recognised for his outstanding contributions in the fields of Education and Human Rights.

Cecil Chaudhry, who died on 13 April 2012, was a Catholic who had a distinguished career in the Pakistani Air Force, and who was respected by Pakistanis of all faiths. Following his distinguished military service in the Indo-Pakistani wars of 1965 and 1971, he was awarded the Sitara-e-Jurat (Star of Courage) one of Pakistan’s highest military awards, and the Sitara-e-Basalat (Star of Good Conduct) for distinguished acts of gallantry, valor and courage. Group Captain Chaudhry later dedicated his life to education, as the headmaster of two prestigious schools, and to his work as a human rights activist who fought over many years for the rights of all minorities in Pakistan.

Michelle Chaudhry, daughter of Group Captain Cecil Chaudhry and President of The Cecil & Iris Chaudhry Foundation (CICF), said: “My father excelled in everything he chose to do; and once again it is in recognition of his outstanding contributions in both the fields of Education and Human Rights that the Government of Pakistan has awarded him with one of the highest civil awards of the country. This is an extremely emotional moment for us as a family; we stand humbled and honored. Even after his passing away our father continues to give us reasons to hold our heads high with pride. It is a moment of great pride not only for our family but for the nation at large and the religious minorities of Pakistan in particular. My father is one of the few people in this country to be awarded with both the country’s highest Gallantry and Civil awards”.

CSW’s Special Ambassador Stuart Windsor, a longstanding friend and colleague of Cecil Chaudhry, said: “We are delighted that Cecil’s work and contribution to human rights in Pakistan have been recognised at the highest level. He touched so many lives in Pakistan and across the world, and left a rich legacy of education and human rights advocacy that continues in the work of the Cecil and Iris Foundation. It was a privilege to know him; he was a man of great courage and integrity who is greatly missed.”

For further information or to arrange interviews please contact Kiri Kankhwende, Press Officer at Christian Solidarity Worldwide on +44 (0)20 8329 0045 / +44 (0) 78 2332 9663, email kiri@csw.org.uk or visit www.csw.org.uk.

Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) is a Christian organisation working for religious freedom through advocacy and human rights, in the pursuit of justice.