The Independence Award (Bangla, স্বাধীনতা পদক) is the highest state award given by the Government of Bangladesh. Introduced in 1977, this award is bestowed upon Bangladeshi citizens or organisations in recognition of substantial contribution to one of many fields, including the War of Liberation, the Language Movement, education, literature, journalism, public service, science and technology, medical science, social science, songs, games and sports, fine arts, rural development, and other areas. In 2019, the Government of Bangladesh awarded this prestigious award to 12 noted personalities and one institution for their remarkable contributions at the national level including Dr. Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad, Chairman, InM and PKSF for his remarkable contribution in social services. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina handed over the award to the recipients at a ceremony at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in the capital on 25 March 2019.
To mark this special achievement, PKSF organised a special programme on 27 March in honour of Dr. Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad. Dr Mustafa K Mujeri, Executive Director of InM, Mr. Md. Abdul Karim, Managing Director of PKSF and high officials of InM and PKSF and various organisations profoundly congratulated the Chairman of InM and PKSF for this special achievement.
