ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - A prestigious awards ceremony is underway at Aiwan-e-Sadr on Thursday to confer top national honors on prominent civil and military figures.
The event, attended by President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, and other dignitaries, saw the president bestow the Nishan-e-Imtiaz on Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Federal Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, and Adviser to the Prime Minister Rana Sanaullah.
Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Sahir Shamshad Mirza also received the Nishan-e-Imtiaz. Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir was awarded the Hilal-e-Jur’at for his exceptional bravery, military expertise, and unwavering patriotism in leading the nation through a critical phase during the Marka e Haq.
Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf was honored with the Nishan-e-Imtiaz for safeguarding Pakistan’s maritime frontiers, while Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Babar Sidhu received the Hilal-e-Jur’at for neutralizing enemy air superiority in aerial combat.
President Asif Ali Zardari also bestowed his political successor, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, with Nishan-e-Imtiaz for disseminating a powerful narrative of Pakistan's stance worldwide.
Deputy PM Ishaq Dar was recognised for his effective diplomatic advocacy of Pakistan’s stance, while Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar was honoured for his firm position on the Indus Waters Treaty. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif was awarded the Nishan-e-Imtiaz for effectively responding to India’s unprovoked aggression, and Information Minister Attaullah Tarar received the same award for exemplary communication during the “Battle of Truth.”
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi was honoured for maintaining unity and peace on the domestic front.
Rana Sanaullah was awarded for his role in fostering national consensus and political harmony.
Several other civil and military officials were also decorated with top honours during the ceremony.