Following a meeting of the National Awards Advisory Committee on Sunday, Legal Adviser Asif Nazrul announced that this year’s Independence Award will be given solely based on merit, transcending political and group affiliations. He confirmed that fewer than ten individuals will receive the award. “In the past, controversial individuals and institutions, such as RAB, have received national awards. However, this is the highest honor of our nation, and we have recommended names without political bias,” he stated. Education Adviser added that only those with extraordinary contributions to national life will be honored this time.