Consul commended

Consul commended
"By Command of Her Majesty The Queen, the Diamond Jubilee Medal is presented to you in commemoration of the 60th anniversary of Her Majesty’s Accession to the Throne and in recognition of your contributions to Canada,” read the citation accompanying the Medal presented to Karachi based Byram Avari, honorary consul of Canada, by Jason Kenney, the federal minister for employment, social development and multiculturalism.
"In granting you this honor, I thank you for your dedicated service to your peers, to your community and to Canada. The contributions you have made to our nation are most commendable and deserve our praise and admiration,” noted a commendation certificate from David Johnston, the governor general of Canada. Although the Medal was meant to be presented in the Queen’s diamond jubilee year in 2012, since Avari’s travel schedule did not match Kenney’s, he was ultimately conferred the honor in Toronto on September 15, 2013.
In response to Parsiana’s queries Avari clarified that he has been "representing Canada for the last 30 years which is longer than the tenure of Canadian ambassadors (posted) as employees of the Canadian government.” As honorary consul the Canadian government expects him to sort out problems concerning Canadian citizens when they need verification of documents for passport renewals, citizenship applications, employment and education certificates.

Whilst visa applications do not fall within his purview, he is authorized to "issue emergency passport” to Canadian citizens in case of loss or expiry of their passports. Besides briefing Canadian political, trade and business delegations visiting Karachi, he is also expected to arrange meetings with Government functionaries. Further he is "actively involved” in case of abuse of women and children, and unlawful activities like forced captivity or occupation of Canadian property.
Manufactured by the Royal Canadian Mint, the design of this Diamond Jubilee Medal was developed by the Canadian Heraldic Authority and approved by the Queen, according to the background information provided by Avari. The obverse of the medal bears an image of the Queen and on the reverse is shown a central diamond against a background pattern of diamonds with the dates 1952-2012. The maple leaves refer to Canada while the Latin motto "Vivat Regina” means "Long live The Queen.” The only other monarch to have achieved this milestone event was reportedly Queen Victoria, great-great-grandmother of Queen Elizabeth II, in 1897.
There is even a "wearing guide” on when, where and how the medal should be worn. Besides the Remembrance Day and Canada Day, the medal can be worn to official functions where the invite specifies a dress code "with decorations.” It should always be worn on the left side, above the heart of the recipient. During daytime events such as medal presentation ceremonies, parades and official receptions, the medal can be worn with business attire or uniform, and for evening functions with business attire or with formal dress (black tie/evening dress). If it is the recipient’s only medal it is to be worn singly, and if there are other decorations, they should be suspended on a medal bar and arranged from left to right in accordance with the Canadian order of precedence, it has been specified. Whilst the recipient may wear a miniature medal, one "should never wear a mix of full-size and miniature medals,” the code has been explained.