Rugby’s Dr James Shera has been honoured with the prestigious Quaid-E-Azam Gold Medal, one of the Government of Pakistan’s highest awards, conferred on those who have given outstanding and selfless service to improving human rights.

Presenting the medal to Dr Shera were the Right Reverend Bishop Yousaf Nadeem Bhinder, the Bishop of His Grace Churches International, Mr Samuel Payara, Chair of Implementation Minority Rights Forum Pakistan and Director of Bright Futures Society Pakistan, and  Roekh Yousaf, Leader of Holy Trinity Church of England Church Liverpool Diocese.

As a previous Mayor of Rugby and Leader of the Labour Group on Rugby Borough Council for nine years, Dr Shera has dedicated his time to developing inter-cultural understanding.

Rugby Borough Council’s current Labour Leader and Deputy Mayor, Cllr Maggie O’Rourke said, “Dr Shera is a true champion of equality and it’s fantastic to see he is so highly regarded internationally as well as at home.”

Chair of Rugby’s Constituency Labour Party, Cllr Barbara Brown presented the award to Dr Shera in Rugby’s Council Chamber, saying, “James is a remarkable man.  His tireless support for minority groups, for fairness and for public services for everyone deserves every recognition.”

Dr Shera is travelling to Pakistan in the near future for the formal investiture in Islamabad.