Pakistan: Cardinal Joseph Coutts receives “Tamgha-i-Imtiaz” award for interfaith dialogue

A Pakistani cardinal received the "Tamgha-i-Imtiaz," a noteworthy national award, for his service in interfaith dialogue, promoting harmony and social welfare, and protecting the rights of minorities in the country.

On March 23, the President of the Republic of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari, conferred the award on Cardinal Joseph Coutts, Emeritus Archbishop of Karachi.

Additionally, over 100 people engaged in various social services received different awards.

"Tamgha-i-Imtiaz," (medal of excellence or badge of distinction in Urdu) is a prestigious civil award given by the President of Pakistan to recognize significant achievements in various fields. 

The award is given to Pakistanis or foreigners who have distinguished themselves in public service to the country.

Cardinal Coutts was recognized for the initiatives he undertook during his long pastoral service as a priest and bishop for healthcare, education, charity, and solidarity without discrimination, aimed at the well-being of communities across Pakistan.

“His service to humanity and his role in uniting different faiths is an inspiration to all Pakistanis,” said President Ali Zardari, emphasizing the cardinal’s commitment to the peace and prosperity of the nation.

Among his current commitments, Coutts is the first Catholic to be the president of the Christian Study Center in Rawalpindi, a well-known ecumenical center committed to promoting interfaith dialogue and social harmony in the country for over 50 years.

Coutts, Metropolitan Archbishop Emeritus of Karachi, was born in 1945. He was ordained a priest in 1971 for the Lahore Diocese.  

He took over the Hyderabad Diocese in 1990 as its bishop. In 1998 he was transferred to lead Faisalabad Diocese and then to the Metropolitan Headquarters Karachi in 2012, where he was Metropolitan Archbishop until February 2021. Pope Francis created him a cardinal in 2018.