Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has announced the nomination of Liaqat Shaheed for one of the country’s highest civil awards after he sacrificed his life while preventing a suspected suicide bomber from advancing toward a security post in Attock’s Jand area.

According to officials, Liaqat, a shepherd and former Pakistan Railways employee, confronted a suspicious individual near the Mankor security post located on the Punjab-Khyber Pakhtunkhwa border in Jand tehsil, around 70 kilometres from Attock city.

Witnesses said Liaqat was grazing goats near the area when he noticed the suspect behaving suspiciously. He reportedly stopped the individual from moving forward toward the security checkpoint.

Authorities said the suspect detonated his suicide vest during the confrontation, killing Liaqat in the explosion but preventing what officials believe could have been a major attack, causing heavy casualties.

In a statement issued from Lahore, Maryam Nawaz paid tribute to Liaqat’s “great sacrifice” and described him as a true national hero.

“People like Liaqat Shaheed are the real heroes of the Pakistani nation,” the chief minister said, adding that he had set the highest example of sacrifice for the country by laying down his life to save others.

She said the nation was proud of Liaqat’s courage and bravery, announcing that he would be nominated for the highest civil award in recognition of his sacrifice.

The chief minister also directed that the brave citizen from Attock be honoured at the national level for his role in foiling the suicide attack.