Haris Suleman, the teenage pilot who died when his plane crashed while on a round-the-world journey to raise funds for The Citizens Foundation, has been awarded the Sitara-i-Imtiaz by the President of Pakistan Mamnoon Hussain. The Sitara-i-Imtiaz (Star of Excellence) is Pakistan’s 3rd highest award. Haris, 17, was on the final leg of a courageous attempt to become the youngest ever pilot-in-command to fly around the globe in 30 days when his plane crashed off the coast of American Samoa on July 22. He made the trip with his father, Babar, who is still missing. The high school senior, who lived in Plainfield, Indiana, in the United States and was of Pakistani origin, is being honored for his public service. The Sitara-i-Imtiaz is awarded by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister of Pakistan and recognizes individuals who have made an “especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of Pakistan, world peace, cultural or other significant public endeavors.” The investiture ceremony will take place on Pakistan Day, March 23, 2015. Haris and Babar’s flight has raised more than $1 million for The Citizens Foundation, a leading non-profit that has built more than 1,000 quality schools for underprivileged girls and boys in Pakistan’s urban slums and rural areas. A TCF spokesperson commented: “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 by TCF.”
