Mohsin Nawaz has become the first athlete from shooting sports to be awarded the Tamgha-e-Imtiaz, a historic recognition for Pakistan’s long-range shooting community. The medal was conferred by President Asif Ali Zardari at the Presidential Awards ceremony in Islamabad on May 13, an event that acknowledged Nawaz’s contributions to elevating Pakistan’s profile in international F-Class competitions.
Describing the honour as a milestone, Mohsin Nawaz paid tribute to his parents, coaches and supporters and dedicated the award to young athletes working to gain recognition in less-publicised sports. He emphasised that the Tamgha-e-Imtiaz is not only a personal achievement but a boost for the entire shooting fraternity in Pakistan.
Nawaz credited recent progress in the sport to the patronage of Syed Asim Munir and the formal establishment of the Pakistan Long Range Rifle Association, which secured affiliation with the International Confederation of Fullbore Rifle Associations and opened doors for Pakistani shooters on the global stage.
While preparing for the 2026 F-Class World Championship in the United Kingdom, Mohsin Nawaz continues to press for practical sports reforms, including improved training facilities and lower import duties on specialised equipment. He said these changes are essential to ensure future generations of Pakistani shooters can compete on equal terms with their international peers.
Born in Faisalabad on August 23, 1986, Nawaz began his competitive shooting career in 2004 at the Pakistan Ordnance Factory shooting club in Wah. His international campaigns have been driven largely by personal commitment, private sponsorships and self-funded trips, supplemented by professional coaching obtained abroad.
Mohsin Nawaz currently holds 10 international individual medals, the highest tally by any Pakistani in F-Class long-range shooting. His record includes podium finishes in the United States, South Africa and Europe, with medals at the European Long Range Shooting Championship and the prestigious Imperial Championship. In 2023 he equalled a European record at the European Championship, reinforcing his standing among the world elite.
At home, Nawaz has dominated national competitions, winning multiple gold medals in PARA Army Championships, national long-range events and benchrest contests. He has set several national records, including notable performances at the 2025 F-Class National Long Range Shooting Championship in Jhelum.
Beyond competition, Nawaz is active in promoting the sport. He joined Hawksmith Gun & Shooting Club as a brand ambassador to help develop tactical training and precision shooting facilities in Pakistan, and he represents international partners as ambassador for KAHLES Sports Optics and Peregrine Bullets. His recognition with the Tamgha-e-Imtiaz is widely seen as a catalyst for greater support and visibility for long-range shooting across the country.
