ISLAMABAD, March 22: President Asif Ali Zardari approved on Friday civil awards for Dr Parween Rahman, a human rights activist and director of the Orangi Pilot Project who was recently murdered in Karachi, and Shazia Ramzan and Kainaat Riaz, school fellows of Malala Yousufzai who survived an attack by militants last year.

Sitara-i-Shujaat will be conferred posthumously on Dr Rahman and Tamgha-i-Shujaat on Shazia and Kianaat.

President’s spokesman Farhatullah Babar said Dr Rahman had devoted her life to the welfare and betterment of people, especially the poor.

She joined the Orangi Pilot Project in early 1980s and continued serving people till her death.

Her areas of work included managing housing, sanitation programmes, education, training, water supply and other facilities.

The spokesman said Dr Rahman had been selected for the award in recognition of her undaunted social service.

He said Shazia and Kainaat were with Malala Yousufzai when militants attacked her on Oct 8 last year.

The spokesman termed the girls national assets and said they represented the true face of the country.

They raised voice against extremism and continued their study despite threats from militants, he added.