Recognition: British Empire honours two Pakistani social workers

Mussarat Khattak and Joseph Francis decorated for their lifelong services in public welfare.

ISLAMABAD:

Two Pakistani social workers were awarded Member of the Order of the British Empire in recognition to their lifelong services in public welfare.

British High Commissioner Adam Thomson gave away the certificates and medals to Mussarat Khattak and Joseph Francis at a ceremony held at the British High Commission on Thursday.

Lauding the services of the two recipients, Thomson conveyed the Queen’s greetings on becoming part of the Order. He said the services rendered by Khattak and Francis in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) were outstanding.

Mussarat Khattak, who works at the British Council in Peshawar, said it was a moment of great pleasure, pride and recognition. She said the award provided a fresh impetus to work harder especially in her project on madrassah reforms. Khattak said she was “proud to be a Pakistani”.

In 2002, Khattak took the responsibilities as project leader and took command by ensuring project outcomes in school improvement across K-P.

Francis has worked all his life as a civil rights activist providing legal assistance to Britons of Pakistani origin and on resolving the issues of forced marriages. He is the founder and director of Centre for Legal Aid Assistance and Settlement (CLAAS).

Francis said he took pride in being a Pakistani more than being member of the Christian community but lamented the attitude of the local government for ignoring his services. Francis has received national awards from the French, German and American governments as well.

The French government gave him the French Republic Award, Germany gave him the Martin Luther Award, whereas the American government gave him the Good Samaritan Award.

The Order of the British Empire recognises distinguished service to the arts and sciences, public services and work with charitable and welfare organisations. Valuable service is the only criterion for the award. There are more than 100,000 living members of the Order throughout the world.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 4^th, 2011.