Field Marshal Asim Munir, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Sidhu awarded Hilal-e-Jurat; senior ministers, military commanders, and diplomats recognised with Nishan-e-Imtiaz
ISLAMABAD, August 14: President Asif Ali Zardari, in a prestigious ceremony at Aiwan-e-Sadr, honoured Pakistan’s leading political figures, senior military officers, diplomats, and civil servants with the country’s highest awards for their exceptional contributions to the nation’s defence, governance, and diplomacy. The investiture ceremony, attended by cabinet members, armed forces leadership, and foreign dignitaries, marked a moment of national pride and recognition for services rendered in the most demanding of circumstances.
Political Leadership Awarded for Public Service
In recognition of their outstanding roles in governance and policy-making, the Nishan-e-Imtiaz, one of Pakistan’s highest civilian honours, was conferred on:
- Ishaq Dar, Deputy Prime Minister
- Azam Nazir Tarar, Federal Law Minister
- Mohsin Naqvi, Federal Interior Minister
- Attaullah Tarar, Federal Information Minister
- Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Defence Minister
- Ahsan Iqbal, Planning Minister
- Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, Chairman, Pakistan Peoples Party
Top Military Command Honoured for Bravery and Leadership
Pakistan’s top military brass was recognised for exemplary leadership and acts of courage:
- Field Marshal Asim Munir, Chief of Army Staff — Hilal-e-Jurat
- Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu, Chief of Air Staff — Hilal-e-Jurat
- General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee — Nishan-e-Imtiaz (Military)
- Admiral Naveed Ashraf, Chief of Naval Staff — Nishan-e-Imtiaz (Military)
Vice Admiral Raja Rab Nawaz, Rear Admiral Abdul Muneeb, Rear Admiral Faisal Amin, and Air Vice Marshal Muhammad Ehsanul Haq also received high military decorations.
ISI Director General Lt Gen Muhammad Asim Malik was awarded the Sitara-e-Basalat for exceptional contributions to national security, while ISPR Director General Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry was honoured with the Hilal-e-Imtiaz (Military). Military Operations DG Maj Gen Kashif Abdullah also received a distinguished service award.
Diplomatic Service Recognised for Strengthening Foreign Relations
The Hilal-e-Imtiaz was presented to members of the prime minister’s diplomatic team for their efforts in advancing Pakistan’s foreign policy objectives:
- Tariq Fatemi, former Special Assistant to PM on Foreign Affairs
- Senator Bushra Anjum Butt
- Senator Sherry Rehman
- Senator Faisal Sabzwari
- Hina Rabbani Khar, former Minister of State for Foreign Affairs
- Khurram Dastgir Khan, Federal Minister
- Jalil Abbas Jilani, former Foreign Secretary
- Ahad Khan Cheema, Federal Minister
- Mansoor Usman Awan, Attorney General for Pakistan
Gallantry Awards for Armed Forces Personnel
Several Pakistan Air Force and Pakistan Army officers were awarded for bravery in combat and operational excellence:
- Sitara-e-Jurat: Wing Commander Bilal Raza, Wing Commander Hammad Ibne Masood, Squadron Leader Muhammad Yousuf Khan, Squadron Leader Muhammad Osama Ashfaq, Squadron Leader Muhammad Hassan Anis, Squadron Leader Talal Hassan, Squadron Leader Fida Muhammad Khan, Squadron Leader Muhammad Ashab.
- Tamgha-e-Jurat: Lance Havaldar Aamir Sheraz (posthumous), Lance Naik Ikramullah (posthumous), Sepoy Adeel Akbar (posthumous), Captain Ali Hassan.
- Sitara-e-Basalat: Sepoy Nisar Ali Shaheed (posthumous).
Civil Administration and Public Service Awards
The President also recognised several civil servants and administrative officers for their dedication to public service:
- Sitara-e-Imtiaz: Rashid Mahmood Malik (Prime Minister’s Speechwriter), Dr Rizwan Nazir (DG Rescue 1122 Punjab), Shahid Imran Marth (DC Sheikhupura), Bilal Zafar Sheikh (DPO Sheikhupura), Nadeem Janjua (DC Neelam), Hassan Iqbal (DPO Bahawalpur), Rai Babar Saeed (RPO Bahawalpur), Dr Farhan Farooq (DC Bahawalpur), Masoodur Rehman (Commissioner Poonch), Imtiaz Gora (Principal Secretary to PM), Capt Noorul Amin (Punjab Home Secretary).
- Tamgha-e-Imtiaz: Mubashir Hassan (Principal Information Officer), Ambreen Jan (Information & Broadcasting Secretary), Amina Baloch (Foreign Secretary).
