Senate Chairman Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has been honored with the prestigious Paul Harris Fellow Award, recognizing his exceptional dedication to humanitarian values, public service, and the principle of “Service Above Self.” The award was presented at a distinguished ceremony held at Gilani House, attended by prominent dignitaries, members of civil society, and political figures.
The award was formally conferred by Mian Salman Mubarak, representing Award Roots International and District Governor-Elect of Rotary International. Gilani received the Paul Harris Fellow Medal for his significant efforts in promoting goodwill, peace, and humanitarian service throughout his career. Zafar Ali Anjum, Chairman of the HSM Group, also presented Gilani with the official Paul Harris Fellow certificate, further highlighting the significance of the occasion.
A distinguished delegation, including Dr. Iraj Fareed, seasoned journalist Sajid Hussain Bukhari, and Muhammad Sadiq, attended the ceremony to pay tribute to Gilani’s achievements. Member of Provincial Assembly Syed Ali Haider Gilani was also present at the event.
The Paul Harris Fellow Award is Rotary International’s highest individual honor, previously bestowed upon notable global figures such as U.S. President Jimmy Carter, Russian President Boris Yeltsin, UN Secretary Generals Javier Pérez de Cuéllar and Kofi Annan, as well as humanitarians like Mother Teresa, Pope John Paul II, and Dr. Jonas Salk, the inventor of the polio vaccine. By receiving this award, Gilani becomes the first Pakistani Senate Chairman and former Prime Minister to achieve this esteemed recognition, further establishing his legacy in public service.
During the same event, Mian Salman Mubarak—also a trustee of the Trust for Malnutrition and Stunted Growth—presented a special award to Gilani in acknowledgment of his ongoing support for child health and nutrition initiatives.
The ceremony concluded with expressions of heartfelt appreciation from all attendees, marking the occasion as a source of pride for the Gilani family, the city of Multan, and Pakistan as a whole.
