Published in The News
Karachi Teenage pilot Haris Suleman, who died recently when his plane crashed while on a world tour to raise funds for a Pakistani organisation, will be awarded Sitara-e-Imtiaz on the next Pakistan Day. Haris, 17, was on the final leg of a courageous attempt to become the youngest pilot-in-command to fly around the globe in 30 days when his plane crashed off the coast of American Samoa on July 23. He had been flying with his father, Babar, who is still missing. The investiture ceremony will take place on March 23, 2015. The Sitara-e-Imtiaz (Star of Excellence) is Pakistan’s third highest award. The high school senior of Pakistani origin, who lived in Plainfield, Indiana, is being honoured by the award, which recognises individuals who have made “special meritorious contributions to the security or national interests of Pakistan, world peace, cultural or other significant public endeavours”. Haris’s flight raised more than a million dollars for The Citizens Foundation, a leading non-profit organisation which has built more than 1,000 schools for underprivileged girls and boys in Pakistan’s urban slums and rural areas. A spokesperson told The News: “The Citizens Foundation is proud to be associated with Haris and his family. Haris and Babar’s inspiring journey and their selflessness in dedicating their voyage to the education of Pakistan’s children will always be treasured.”
Read more: http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-4-268060-Sitara-e-Imtiaz-for-Haris-Suleman-next-year
