KARACHI, 16 June 2006 — Rear Adm. M. Asif Sandila and Capt. Muhammad Amjad of Pakistan Navy have been decorated with the French Order of Merit with the grade of Knight for their meritorious services for saving the lives of 367 tourists during the tsunami in December 2004.
The medals were conferred on board the French Naval ship Marne currently on an official visit to Karachi.
The Pakistani Naval officers were decorated by the French Consul General in Karachi, Pierre Seillan, and Adm. Hubert de Gaullier des Bordes of the French Navy.
Those rescued off the Island on Maldives included people from 19 nationalities and 30 French citizens. They were brought to the capital Male, on board PNS Tariq.
Those rescued on the occasion included children as well as the old people. The injured were provided first aid on board PNS Tariq besides food and water.
Speaking on the occasion, Rear Adm. Asif Sandila expressed his gratitude to the government of France for recognizing the efforts of the Pakistan Navy. He said that Pakistan Navy ships Nasr and Tariq were the first to reach the scene and evacuated hundreds of stranded tourists including a Pakistani couple from Peshawar and provided them with medical aid, food and clothing.
