Sitara-e-Shujaat

{{Short description|Second-highest Pakistani civilian award for bravery}}

{{Infobox award

| name = Sitara-e-Shujaat
{{nq|ستارہِ شجاعت}}

| image =

| image_size =

| type = National Civilian

| country = {{flagicon|Pakistan}} Islamic Republic of Pakistan

| established = 19 March 1957

| firstawarded =

| lastawarded = 2024

| total_awarded =

| presenter =
70px
Government of Pakistan

| description =

| previous =

| obverse =

| reverse =

| ribbon = 100px
Sitara-e-Shujaat Service Ribbon

| higher = Nishan-e-Pakistan

| same = Hilal-e-Pakistan

| lower = File:Sitara-e-Imtiaz.png
Sitara-e-Imtiaz

}}

Sitara-e-Shujaat ({{langx|ur|ستارہِ شجاعت||Star of Bravery}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/11/world/asia/pakistani-leader-urges-bravery-award-for-boy.html|title=Premier Urges Award for Boy Who Halted Pakistan Attack (Published 2014)|first=Salman|last=Masood|date=January 10, 2014|via=NYTimes.com}}), sometimes spelled Sitara-i-Shujaat, is the second-highest civil award for bravery bestowed by the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.{{Cite web|url=https://www.brecorder.com/news/40012199|title=Sitara-e-Shujaat: Naveed becomes first-ever ISI officer to be honoured|first=Recorder|last=Report|date=August 15, 2020|website=Brecorder}}{{Cite web|url=http://emergingpakistan.gov.pk/pakistan/general-information/civilian-awards/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200501212532/http://emergingpakistan.gov.pk/pakistan/general-information/civilian-awards/|url-status=dead|archive-date=2020-05-01|title=Civilian Awards | Emerging Pakistan|date=May 1, 2020}} It is usually awarded to the Pakistani citizens such as civilians, human rights defenders, military or law enforcement officials for their bravery contributions to the national interest of the country,{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/world/malala-to-get-pak-s-top-bravery-award/story-0FtHo1fpCjXg1kQM8xiUlO.html|title=Malala to get Pak’s top bravery award|date=October 17, 2012|website=Hindustan Times}}{{Cite web|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/657330/aitizaz-hasan-to-be-honoured-with-sitara-e-shujaat|title=Aitizaz Hasan to be honoured with Sitara-e-Shujaat|date=January 10, 2014|website=The Express Tribune}} and while the award seeks to recognize the "gallantry contributions", it is also awarded posthumously by the president annually on the Pakistan Day.{{Cite web|url=https://arynews.tv/en/sindh-govt-doctors-sitara-e-shujaat-civil-award/|title=Sindh govt sends names of doctors to Centre for Sitara-e-Shujaat award|date=July 31, 2020}}{{Cite web|url=https://arynews.tv/en/famous-awards-bestowed-on-pakistan-day/|title=Famous awards bestowed on Pakistan Day!|date=March 24, 2015}}

After a citizen's contribution to security, defence and health among others is recognized, whether it is a government or non-government duty, the respective state governments prepares recommendation list to the federal government for final approval. After it is sent to the government, the prime minister recommends or advises the awardees list to the president.{{Cite web|url=https://zeenews.india.com/news/south-asia/sharif-recommends-gallantry-awards-for-peshawar-school-victims_1555861.html|title=Sharif recommends gallantry awards for Peshawar school victims|date=March 3, 2015|website=Zee News}}