Spanish order of merit for outgoing AKF chief

DAWN - ISLAMABAD, Feb 25: On behalf of King Juan Carlos of Spain, the country’s ambassador to Pakistan Gonzalo Maria Quintero Saravia Thursday conferred the “Knight Commander of the Order of the Civil Merit” on Al-Nashir Jamal, the outgoing chief executive officer of the Aga Khan Foundation-Pakistan. 

The order was established in 1926 by King Alfonso XIII to recognise “civic virtues of those in the service of the state as well as extraordinary services rendered to the Kingdom of Spain by foreign nationals.” 

The award was conferred at a ceremony held at the Spanish embassy in Islamabad. 

Mr Saravia said the work carried out by Mr Jamal during his tenure as the Aga Khan Foundation’s chief was an example of how international cooperation could be a real instrument, both in the development of local communities and in achieving understanding between different cultures. 

“Ilustrisimo Senor Al-Nashir Jamal has added his own treasure of knowledge and experiences to the work done by the Aga Khan Foundation in Pakistan,” the envoy said. 

Mr Saravia said Mr Jamal had personally suffered the evil results of intolerance but dedicated his work to fight the sources of this evil, which included poverty, isolation, and the lack of education.—A Reporter

Source - Daily Dawn