BISP head Marvi Memon wins French civilian award

"National Order of Merit" is awarded to French and foreign nationals for their distinguished achievements

Minister for state and chairperson of the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), Marvi Memon, has been awarded a high French civilian award, "National Order of Merit", by France’s President Emmanuel Macron.

French Ambassador to Pakistan Martine Dorance presented the award to Memon in a reception held at the French Residence on Friday.

Moving ceremony at the French Embassy awarding one of the highest distinctions "Ordre du Mérite" to @marvi_memon Congratulations ! pic.twitter.com/nfLeuoD8tA

— JeanFrançois Cautain (@JFCautainEU) July 21, 2017

“The National Order of Merit is an order of the State awarded by the President of the French Republic, which was launched in 1963 by the President Charles de Gaulle to reward French and foreign nationals for their distinguished achievements,” according to a press release.

Tonite on my 45th i am humbled to receive one of the highest civilian awards from France and the French President @EmmanuelMacron. Merci! pic.twitter.com/JQgcqmGtcC

— Marvi Memon (@marvi_memon) July 21, 2017

Pm not resigning and we wil win hearts n minds n all come what may 👍sherrrrr. pic.twitter.com/6nh5Xxw7K0

— Marvi Memon (@marvi_memon) July 21, 2017

The French award is bestowed not just to French nationals but also foreign individuals for their achievements.

Memon spent her childhood in France and attended secondary school there.

She has been elected to the National Assembly twice – in the general elections of 2008 and 2013. Memon took charge as the chairperson of the BISP social welfare scheme in February 2015.