Taking the floor after receiving the honor, Ms. Farooq became visibly emotional as she thanked the French Government and the French Embassy for recognizing her work. She dedicated the award to her parents, her late husband, and her family members, acknowledging their unwavering support throughout her journey
ISLAMABAD: Ambassador of France Nicolas Galey awarding Ordre National du Mérite (Chevalier rank) to Ms. Ayesha Raza Farooq.=DNA
Ansar M Bhatti
Islamabad, February 12, 2026 — In a distinguished ceremony at the Residence of France, Ms. Ayesha Raza Farooq, Chairperson of Pakistan’s National Commission on the Rights of the Child (NCRC) and National Coordinator for Polio Eradication, was awarded the Ordre National du Mérite (Chevalier rank) by the Ambassador of France to Pakistan, Nicolas Galey.
The event gathered prominent figures including Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Minister of State for Law and Justice Barrister Aqeel Malik, senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Human Rights, as well as ambassadors, representatives of international organizations, and members of the diplomatic corps.
In his address, Ambassador Galey praised Ms. Farooq’s unwavering dedication to human rights, particularly children’s rights. He highlighted her distinguished career as a Senator, where she chaired key committees and contributed to legislation on health, justice, economic affairs, human rights, and climate change. Her leadership in Pakistan’s polio eradication campaign was noted as a cornerstone of her public service, earning her the Sitara-e-Imtiaz in 2018.
The Ambassador emphasized her tireless advocacy for education, pointing to the 25 million children still out of school in Pakistan. He also commended her efforts to ensure universal vaccination against polio, despite resistance from certain groups. France’s collaboration with Pakistan in these areas was underscored, including projects against child labor and abuse, initiatives to enroll out-of-school children, and healthcare programs supported by the French Development Agency and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Recent legislative progress in Pakistan, such as laws prohibiting child marriage under 18 in Islamabad, Balochistan, Sindh, and Punjab, was celebrated as a collective achievement. However, Ambassador Galey reminded that challenges remain, particularly in meeting international human rights conventions linked to Pakistan’s trade relations with the European Union.
Concluding his speech, Ambassador Galey lauded Ms. Farooq’s energy, sincerity, and tenacity, qualities that have earned her respect and admiration across communities. He formally conferred upon her the insignia of Chevalier of the National Order of Merit, recognizing her exceptional contributions to children’s rights, education, health, and the strengthening of Franco-Pakistani cooperation.
Taking the floor after receiving the honor, Ms. Farooq became visibly emotional as she thanked the French Government and the French Embassy for recognizing her work. She dedicated the award to her parents, her late husband, and her family members, acknowledging their unwavering support throughout her journey.
She highlighted the progress Pakistan has made in reducing polio cases, noting that collective efforts by the government, international partners, and civil society have brought the country closer to eradication. “This award is not just mine,” she said, “it belongs to all those who have stood by me in the fight for children’s rights and in the struggle to eliminate polio from Pakistan.”
Her heartfelt words resonated with the audience, underscoring the human dimension of her lifelong commitment to children’s welfare and public health.
The ceremony concluded with warm applause, marking a significant moment of recognition for Ms. Farooq’s contributions to strengthening human rights, advancing education and healthcare, and fostering Franco-Pakistani cooperation.
