President Asif Ali Zardari has conferred civil and military awards on various personalities for their outstanding services and exceptional performance during Marka-e-Haq.
He decorated the awards to recipients at a prestigious investiture ceremony held in Islamabad today.
Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political and Public Affairs Affairs Rana Sana Ullah Khan were decorated with Nishan-i-Imtiaz.
Besides, the President conferred military awards to the officers and soldiers of Pakistan Army, Navy and Air Force for conspicuous courage and supreme sacrifice rendered during Operation “Bunyan-um-Marsoos”.
Field Marshal Chief of Army Staff Syed Asim Munir was awarded Hilal-i-Jurat in recognition of his leadership during the challenging period of Marka-e-Haq, demonstrating unwavering courage and firm conviction.
Nishan-i-Imtiaz was conferred upon Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Sahir Shamshad Mirza.
Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Babar Sidhu was awarded Hilal-i-Jurat for demonstrating unwavering courage while leading the aerial war.
Naval Chief Admiral Naveed Ashraf was decorated with Nishan-i-Imtiaz.
ISI Chief Lieutenant General Muhammad Asim Malik and Director General Inter Services Public Relations Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry were given Sitara-e-Basalt.
Sitara-i-Jurat was awarded to Wing Commanders Bilal Raza and Hammad Ibne Masood, Squadron Leaders Muhammad Yousaf Khan, Muhammad Osama Ishfaq, Muhammad Hassan Anees, Talal Hassan, Fida Muhammad Khan and Muhammad Ashhad Amir of the Pakistan Air Force.
Members of the Prime Minister’s diplomatic mission were also awarded Hilal-e-Imtiaz for effectively highlighting Pakistan’s position abroad. These include: Minister for Climate Change Musadik Masood Malik, SAPM Syed Tariq Fatemi, Senator Sherry Rehman, Senator Faisal Sabzwari, Senator Bushra Anjum, Hina Rabbani Khar, Engineer Khurram Dastgir Khan, Umar Farooq, and Ambassador retired Jalil Abbas Jilani.
Furthermore, Hilal-e-Imtiaz was given to Minister for Economic Affairs Division Ahad Khan Cheema, Prime Minister’s Advisor Dr. Syed Tauqir Hussain Shah, Attorney General Mansoor Usman Awan, Dr Fawad Assadullah Khan, and Lt General retired Muhammad Saeed.
Secretary Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Ambreen Jan and Secretary Ministry of Foreign Affairs Amna Baloch were amongst the recipients of Sitara-i-Imtiaz.
Leading media personalities, who were conferred with Tamgha-i-Imtiaz include Hamid Mir, Mujeeb-ur-Rehman Shami, Javed Chaudhry, Mansoor Ali Khan, Salim Safi, Wasim Badami, Aniqa Nisar, Amir Ilyas Rana, Muneeb Farooq and Nadeem Malik.
In total, four Tamgha-i-Jurrat, 24 Sitara-e-Basalt, 43 Tamgha-i-Basalat, seven Tamgha-i-Shujat, eight Sitara-i-Imtiaz, 43 Tamgha-i-Imtiaz were awarded during the ceremony.
