KP Governor Recommends National Award for Oun Abbas
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi has urged Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to grant a posthumous national civil award to 22-year-old Oun Abbas, who lost his life while attempting to stop a suicide bomber during an attack on an imambargah in Islamabad.
The tragic incident occurred on February 6, when a suicide attacker targeted Friday prayers at Imambargah Qasr-i-Khadijatul Kubra on the outskirts of the capital. The blast claimed at least 38 lives and left more than 150 people injured.
Act of Courage Amid Chaos
Eyewitnesses reported that Abbas was inside the prayer hall when the attacker entered. Instead of seeking safety, he reportedly tried to overpower the bomber in an attempt to prevent the attack. The assailant detonated the explosives during the struggle, resulting in Abbas’s martyrdom.
In a letter dated February 11, addressed to the prime minister, Governor Kundi praised Abbas’s “extraordinary bravery and supreme sacrifice.” He stated that the young man’s courageous action helped prevent an even greater catastrophe and potentially saved many lives.
Call for National Recognition
The governor recommended that Abbas be honoured with a posthumous civil award such as the Sitara-i-Shujaat or Tamgha-i-Shujaat. He said recognising Abbas at the national level would not only pay tribute to his sacrifice but also inspire young Pakistanis to embody courage and selflessness in service to their communities.
Kundi had earlier reiterated the same request during a visit to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), where victims of the attack are receiving treatment.
Government Compensation Announced
Earlier, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced financial assistance for the victims. A sum of Rs10 million was allocated for Abbas’s family. Additionally, Rs5 million was announced for each individual martyred in the attack, Rs3 million for those critically injured, and Rs1 million for those who sustained minor injuries.
The recommendation for a national award now awaits the prime minister’s consideration.
