PAKISTAN, INAUGURATION OF THE REPUBLIC OF PAKISTAN, 23-MARCH-1956, MEDAL

Description

PAKISTAN, INAUGURATION OF THE REPUBLIC OF PAKISTAN, 23-MARCH-1956, MEDAL
On March 16, 1957 a second independence medal was instituted for Pakistan, this time by the country’s first president, Iskander Mirza, to mark the country’s establishment as a fully-fledged Republic on March 23, 1956. This was a non-operational award, intended purely as a commemorative medal. This was presented to members of the Pakistani armed forces, police, civilian officials, and selected non-officials in time for the first anniversary of the country becoming a Republic.
Nevertheless, it is still of interest to collectors. Known as the Tamgha-i-Jamhuria 1375, Republic of Pakistan Independence Medal, it is a circular silver-colored medal made of cupro-nickel measuring 37mm in diameter. Dignitaries who attended the official inauguration ceremonies were presented with a special gold version of the medal.
The white, black, red, and green ribbon passes through an ornate suspender attached to a moving swivel which is, in turn, attached to a scrolled claw mount on the medal. The suspender has a bar which resembles a campaign bar, but it is plain, apart from being topped by a half-floral motif. In the center of the obverse is a lyre-shaped calligraphic inscription, “Jamhuria Islamia Pakistan” which means the “Islamic Republic of Pakistan.”
The reverse bears the date “23 March 1956” set in the center. Forming an arc above this is the same date in Urdu, “9 Shaban-ui-Muazzam 1375.”. Below the English date curving upwards is the Bengali inscription “Jamhuria Islamia Pakistan” which translates to mean The Islamic Republic of Pakistan. The medal is un-named and there are no clasps or bars for the ribbon. It is quite possible to find this medal either as an individual item or forming part of a group, which could possibly include the Pakistan Independence Medal of 1947.