Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif of Pakistan has approved a top civilian honour for a teenager who died stopping a Taliban suicide bomber from attacking his school.
Aitizaz Hasan. Photo: Family handout / AFP
Aitizaz Hasan, 15, was killed on 6 January when he tackled the bomber at the gate of the school compound, having recognised he was wearing a suicide vest.
The bomber detonated the device, killing himself and Hasan at the school in the district of Hangu in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province. No one else was killed or wounded.
Mr Sharif said this brave act saved the lives of hundreds of students at the school.
His family is to receive the posthumous award on 23 March, which is Pakistan's national day.
Parliament passed a resolution paying tribute to Hasan, while his bravery has been hailed in newspapers, social media and on television.
