Asif Bashir
{{Short description|Pakistani rescue worker}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Asif Bashir
| image = Asif Bashir.jpg
| alt =
| caption = Bashir in Maidan-e-Badar, Saudi Arabia
| birth_date = {{Birth-date and age|30 December 1993}}{{citation needed|date=April 2025}}
| birth_place = Peshawar
| citizenship = {{flagicon|Pakistan}} Pakistani
| occupation = Rescue worker, Volunteer
| known_for = 2024 Hajj extreme heat disaster
| awards = Jeevan Raksha Padak (India){{cite web |title=Pakistani Man Nominated for India’s Top Civil Award for Saving 44 Lives in Hajj 2024 |url=https://propakistani.pk/2025/01/06/pakistani-man-nominated-for-indias-top-civil-award-for-saving-44-lives-in-hajj-2024/ |website=ProPakistani}}
Sitara-e-Imtiaz(Pakistan){{cite web |title=President confers Sitara-i-Imtiaz award on Asif Bashir |url=https://dailytimes.com.pk/1259368/president-confers-sitara-i-imtiaz-award-on-asif-bashir/ |website=The Nation |publisher=The Nation}}
Nominated for King's Gallantry Medal (UK)
}}
Asif Bashir (Pashto, {{langx|ur|{{Nastaliq|آصف بشیر}}}}; born 30 December 1993){{citation needed|date=April 2025}} is a Pakistani rescue worker, volunteer and philanthropist from Peshawar, Pakistan who gained national and international recognition for his role in the rescuing of 17 Pilgrims during 2024 Hajj extreme heat disaster.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/urdu/articles/cv2ggl2q9dzo|title=آصف بشیر: وہ پاکستانی رضاکار جس نے دوران حج 16 انڈین حجاج کی جان بچائی|date=August 4, 2024|website=BBC News اردو}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.app.com.pk/national/young-pakistani-made-history-by-rescuing-17-indian-pilgrims-at-hajj-during-deadly-heatwave/|title=Young Pakistani made history by rescuing 17 Indian pilgrims at Hajj during deadly heatwave|date=August 5, 2024}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1216938-indian-ministers-all-praise-for-pakistani-who-saved-lives-during-hajj|title=Indian ministers all praise for Pakistani who saved lives during Hajj|website=www.thenews.com.pk}}
Early life and career
Asif Bashir was born in Peshawar, Pakistan. He graduated from COMSATS University with a degree in Computer Systems Engineering. Currently, he is employed as a Database Supervisor at the Chief Minister's Secretariat. Prior to this role, he worked at the Deputy Commissioner's Office as a rescue worker. His involvement in rescue services and disaster management spans several years, during which he has volunteered in various capacities, including flood and avalanche relief operations.{{Cite web|url=https://www.dw.com/ur/%D8%AD%D8%AC%D8%A7%D8%AC-%DA%A9%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%85-%DA%A9%DB%8C-%D8%AC%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A8%DA%86%D8%A7%D9%86%DB%92-%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%84%DB%92-%D9%BE%D8%A7%DA%A9%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%A7%D9%86%DB%8C-%DB%81%DB%8C%D8%B1%D9%88/video-69872243|title=حجاج کرام کی جان بچانے والے پاکستانی ہیرو – DW – 07.08.2024|website=dw.com}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.independenturdu.com/node/175066|title=17 انڈین حجاج کی جان بچانے والے پاکستانی آصف بشیر|date=August 4, 2024|website=Independent Urdu}}
2024 Hajj pilgrimage incident
On June 22, 2024, during extreme heat conditions, Asif Bashir participated in the rescue of 17 Indian, British, and Canadian nationals affected by severe weather. While serving as a guide volunteer, he provided medical assistance to over 360 individuals by distributing water and oral rehydration salts (ORS). He also transported 26 pilgrims to a nearby hospital, carrying some over a distance of 4 to 5 kilometers. Bashir's actions were recognized with titles such as 'Angel of Mina' and 'Pakistani Bajrangi Bhaijan.' His efforts were acknowledged by the Government of India.{{Cite web|url=https://propakistani.pk/2024/08/06/indian-politicians-acknowledge-pakistani-man-for-saving-numerous-lives-during-hajj-2024/|title=Indian Politicians Acknowledge Pakistani Man for Saving Numerous Lives During Hajj 2024}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.arabnews.pk/node/2566526/pakistan|title='Hajj Hero': Meet Pakistani who saved lives of over dozen pilgrims, mostly Indians|date=August 11, 2024|website=Arab News PK}}{{Cite web|url=https://mmnews.tv/angel-of-mina-india-to-honor-pakistani-man-for-saving-16-indian-pilgrims-during-hajj/|title="Angel of Mina": India to honor Pakistani man for saving 16 Indian pilgrims during Hajj|date=August 4, 2024}} {{cite news |title=Indian Minister laud Pakistani Hajj Volunteer for Saving Lives During Hajj 2024 |url=https://hajjreporters.com/indian-minister-laud-pakistani-hajj-volunteer-for-saving-lives-during-hajj-2024/ |access-date=6 August 2024 |agency=Independent Hajj Reporters |publisher=Independent Hajj Reporters}}
Aftermath
Following his actions during the 2024 Hajj pilgrimage, Asif Bashir received recognition both nationally and internationally. His efforts were acknowledged by several governments{{cite news |title=Indian ministers shower praise on Pakistani citizen for saving lives during Hajj |url=https://www.geo.tv/latest/557692-indian-ministers-shower-praise-on-pakistani-citizen-for-saving-lives-during-hajj |agency=GEO News |publisher=GEO News}} and organizations, leading to numerous accolades. The Government of India honored him with the Jeevan Raksha Padak,{{cite web |title=Indian Government to Honor Asif Bashir with Award |url=https://www.theprintlines.com/world-news/pak-citizen-pakistani-citizen-will-be-honored-in-india-creating-panic-in-the-neighboring-country-388939 |website=The Print Lines}} while the Government of Pakistan awarded him the Bravery Medal. Additionally, he was nominated for the King's Gallantry Medal by the British Government.{{Cite web|url=https://theislamicinformation.com/news/pakistani-pilgrim-saved-17-indian-pilgrims-during-hajj-2024/|title=Pakistani Pilgrim Saved 17 Indian Pilgrims During Hajj 2024|date=August 6, 2024}}{{Cite web|url=https://epwing.gov.pk/NewsDetail/NTA3Zjg3ZmEtNTA1Yi00NTVlLTg1ZDgtZjNhODVhNzJiYjcw|title=Ministry of Information and Broadcasting}}
He earned the title "Angel of Mina" after saving 17 lives during the 2024 Hajj pilgrimage in Mina, Saudi Arabia. His act to help people across national and religious boundaries also led to comparisons with the famous Bollywood character "Bajrangi Bhaijaan".
See also
References
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Bashir, Asif}}
Category:Pakistani philanthropists
Category:Pakistani social workers
Category:Recipients of Sitara-i-Imtiaz
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