A BELOVED ex-mayor and Rugby’s longest-serving councillor has received a prestigious honour in his country of birth.
Dr James Shera has been presented with the Hilal-e-Quaid-i-Azam Gold Medal – one of the Government of Pakistan’s highest awards – by the President of Pakistan, Dr. Arif Alvi, in recognition of his exceptional services to communities in the United Kingdom and his unwavering support to Pakistan during times of natural disasters.
Dr Shera retired last May after 40 years of service to the borough as a Labour councillor for Benn Ward.
He made history in 1988 when he became the first Pakistani to be elected Mayor of Rugby, and was given the award of Freeman of the Borough of Rugby in 2017.
Dr Shera played pivotal roles in establishing a hospice at St Cross hospital in Rugby and in the renovation of a mosque in the town.
As the chairman of the committee to raise funds for the earthquake in Pakistan in 2005, he helped to raise £22,000. He also helped to set up a school for children in Azad in Kashmir, and raised funds and installed three water filtration plants for the flood affected areas in Pakistan.
He received another high award of Pakistan, Sitara-e-Pakistan, in 1992 and was conferred with the Member of the British Empire (MBE) award by late Queen Elizabeth II in 2007.
Dr Shera has made a significant contribution to strengthening ties between Pakistan and the United Kingdom. His tireless efforts to promote social justice, peace, and harmony have earned him the respect and admiration of people in both countries.
Several receptions were held in Pakistan to celebrate Dr Shera’s conferment of Hilal-i- Quaid-i-Azam, including one by the current British High Commissioner to Pakistan, Christian Turner.
