Nishan-e-Haider is the Highest Military Award of Pakistan. Nishan-e-Haider means “Emblem of Haider”, where Haider is the epithet of Hazrat Ali and means Lion. Nishan-e-Haider was established on 16 March 1957; however it was applied from the date of Pakistan's independence on 14 August 1947.

Nishan-e-Haider is made of gun metal, captured from the enemy in the previous wars, with a green ribbon and a star with five points is awarded to soldiers who show great bravery and courage in war or on active duty. All recipients of "Nishan-e-Haider' gave away the most valuable thing they had - their lives – in serving the nation and in defending the frontiers of Pakistan.






1 :It is named after the name of Hazrat Ali (R.A), fourth caliph of Islam.
2 :Gun metal used for its manufacturing, is captured from the enemy in the previous wars.
3 : It is only awarded to personnel of Armed Forces of Pakistan, without any discrimination of rank.
4 : So far total 10 Nishan-e-Haider awards have been awarded, to 7 officers and 3 soldiers.
5 :Nine Nishan-e-Haider recipients have been from Pakistan Army and one from Pakistan Air Force.
6 : All the 10 recipients got this award for fighting against India.
7 : One Nishan-e-Haider was awarded for the 1948 war, one for 1958, one for 1965, five for 1971 and two for 1999 Kargil War.
8 : Nishan-e-Haider is can only be awarded posthumously (awarded only to those armed forces personnel who have lost their lives, fighting with the enemy or performing their duty).
9 : Hilal-e-Kashmir (posthumous) is declared as equivalent to Nishan-e-Haider by Government of Pakistan.