Who needs a global recognition when you can pat yourself on the back! Despite several of its aircraft, air bases being hit by the Indian Air Force during Operation Sindoor, Pakistan still seems to live in the fog of glory. Islamabad believes that it emerged as the victor in the 3-day intense conflict with India, in May.

Blinded by the belief, Pakistan Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir awarded himself the Hilal-i-Jurat, their second-highest wartime gallantry medal, on their Independence Day on August 14. Pakistan’s Hilal-i-Jurat is equivalent to India’s Maha Vir Chakra. Notably, this comes after New Delhi announced 127 Gallantry Awards for Operation Sindoor heroes.

Not just Munir, Pakistan also awarded other top ministers and bureaucrats. “Awards were conferred upon senior military and civilian officials, members of the PM’s war cabinet, as well as the delegation that presented Pakistan’s case to the world in the wake of the military confrontation with India,” Pak national daily Dawn reported.

What awards Pakistani leaders gave themselves?

While Munir honoured himself with Hilal-i-Jurat, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu and Naval Chief Admiral Naveed Ashraf were awarded the Nishan-i-Imtiaz (Military) for their respective roles in the air and naval battles. General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, was also given the same.

Army Chief Munir led the war effort from 22 April to 10 May, according to the citation, during which he displayed “unquestionable courage, military prowess, firm belief, and unshakeable patriotism”.

Pakistan Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal had last month declared that their Independence Day would be commemorated as ‘Marka-i-Haq’ or the Battle of Truth. This is the term that Pakistani state had adopted to describe events after India launched Op Sindoor in retaliation for the 22 April Pahalgam terror attacks.

Is Pakistan playing copycat with the awards?

Announced by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), this self-conferred recognition comes alongside a series of awards bestowed upon Islamabad’s top political and military brass, including PM Shehbaz Sharif, for its role in what is being touted as decisive military success in Operation Bunyanum Marsoos and Marka-i-Haq.

The development has gained light as India decided to honour the bravehearts of Operation Sindoor on Independence Day 2025. Unlike Pakistan, the awards by India were limited to defence personnel and to the union ministers or political leaders. These included IAF pilots involved in carrying out strikes on terror infrastructure and military installations in Pakistan.

Pakistan, on the other hand, gave its highest civilian honour Nishan-i-Imtiaz to PM Sharif for his leadership during the war. With this, Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar were also awarded the same for “exposing India’s diplomatic attacks”. Pak Defence Minister Khawaja Asif also received the Nishan-i-Imtiaz along with Information Minister Attaullah Tarar.