An heroic teenager who sacrificed his life to save his classmates from a suicide bomber will have his school and a stadium named after him, officials have announced.
Aitzaz Hassan died last week outside his school in Hangu, northwest Pakistan after tackling the bomber and causing him to detonate early, thus killing only himself and the brave 15-year-old.
Amjad Afridi, a senior advisor to the provincial government, told AFP on Monday: “We have decided to name Aitzaz’s school after him. We will also construct a sports stadium in Hangu and will name it after Hassan.”
Aitizaz Hassan's brother and teacher say Hassan went to tackle the bomber
He added a donation of five million rupees (£28,000) would be made to the teenager’s bereaved parents.
Last week Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said in a statement that Hassan's "brave act saved the lives of hundreds of students and established a sterling example of gallantry and patriotism."
President Mamnoon Hussain is now set to approve the conferment of Pakistan's Star of Bravery to Hassan, according to AP.
Activists on social media have called for Hassan to be given the award for days.
Malala Yousafzai, a schoolgirl who was shot in the head by the Taliban for promoting education for girls in Pakistan has also paid tribute to Hassan.
Malala Yousafzai was shot in the head for promoting education for girls in Pakistan
She added: “In sacrificing his own life, Aitzaz protected hundreds of innocent young students from being killed.
“I wish that in giving his own life he helps to bring peace to my people and my country… his bravery must never be forgotten.”
In a blog for The Huffington Post UK, former prime minister Gordon Brown praised Hasan, saying: "Aitzaz Hasan has redefined the word courage. He was not a soldier going into battle, or a visionary leader prepared to die for his convictions but a 15-year-old schoolboy who gave his life to save 1,000 children from a suicide bomber.
"This act of courage is a wake-up call for those of us in the West who have come to assume the right to education to be uncontroversial, even mundane, both the pupils who take universal education for granted and adults who are causal about its importance.
"They forget that there are terrorist groups dedicated to preventing the enlightenment and the end to ignorance that education entails.
"And so it has been left to young boys and girls in the least promising of places to show us by their actions that they value their right to education more than the adults who are charged with watching over them."
Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, a militant anti-Shi'a group, have claimed responsibility for the attack, which was in a Shi'a area.