British Empire Medal - Another feather in APS survivor's cap
Pakistan
King Charles III bestowed the British Empire Medal on Ahmed Nawaz
PESHAWAR (Dunya News) - Ahmed Nawaz, one of the survivors of Peshawar’s Army Public School Attack, has been honoured with the prestigious British Empire Medal (BEM).
King Charles III bestowed the British Empire Medal (BEM) on Nawaz at a ceremony on Sept 18.
He was earlier given several awards including Light of Hope in recognition of his services for education and ending radicalisation.
BEM is a huge addition to the awards conferred on Nawaz.
AN INSPIRATIONAL STORY
It was just another normal day for the students of the Army Public School (APS) in Peshawar. Haris Nawaz and his elder brother Ahmed Nawaz went to school just like many other students on the morning of Dec 16, 2014.
They were attending the assembly in the school auditorium when a group of seven terrorists stormed APS. They launched a perfidious attack with guns and grenades, opening indiscriminate fire in the classrooms and auditorium.
Haris died on the spot whereas Ahmed suffered injuries in his arm. It is believed he, while resorting to survival instinct, posed to be dead and the terrorists left him alive.
Almost 150 people – 141 students among them - were killed in the massacre which is considered the most horrific terrorist incident in the history of Pakistan.
Ahmed opened his eyes in the hospital from where he was flown to the UK in 2015 to get better treatment of his injuries. His parents and another brother accompanied him.
The Pakistani authorities agreed to pay for Ahmed's medical treatment after a campaign in Pakistan.
Also Read: Nation observes 8th anniversary of APS Peshawar attack
The family started a new life in the UK. There were new people, new culture and new society but Ahmed and his family used this alienation as strength for their journey.
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
Ahmed’s educational career is glittering with blue ribbons. He received scholarship of £14,000 per annum to study at King Edward School. In 2020, he got admission to the Oxford University.
He studied Philosophy and Theology at Lady Margret Hall. It was the same alma mater from where only Pakistani Nobel Laureate Malala Yousafzai graduated.
Ahmed also remained president of Oxford Union which is world's foremost debating society. He was the second Pakistani who became president of Oxford Union after former prime minister (the late) Benazir Bhutto.
Ahmed also strived to educate the children of war-torn regions. He took part in various fund-raising initiatives and was successful in establishing a school for Syrian kids at the border region of the war-torn area.
He is an ardent supporter of the campaign to end radicalisation in the minds of children. He claims that radicalisation can end by enlightening the minds of young children with education.
