Presidency announces 355 civil awards on Independence Day

President Asif Ali Zardari has approved the conferment of numerous military and civil awards to recognize distinguished service and achievements across Pakistan. The approvals, announced on Friday, include awards for 1,172 personnel of the armed forces and civil armed forces.

On the occasion of the country's Independence Day, 355 individuals will receive national civil awards. These honors span a wide array of fields, including science, engineering, education, medicine, the arts, literature, sports, journalism, social welfare, philanthropy, and public service. The list also features gallantry decorations, notably for personnel of the Federal Constabulary who lost their lives in the line of duty.

The nation's highest civil award, Nishan-i-Pakistan, will be presented to Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation in the United Arab Emirates. Other significant honors include Nishan-i-Quaid-i-Azam for two physicians who attended to Pakistan's founder, and Nishan-i-Imtiaz for six government figures and one literary personality, including poet Asad Muhammad Khan and former ministers Ishaq Dar and Mohsin Naqvi.

Further recognition includes Hilal-i-Pakistan for six foreign dignitaries, Hilal-i-Quaid-i-Azam for an educationist working in Chitral, and Sitara-i-Pakistan for three Turkish ministers and a Spanish senator. Numerous other awards like Sitara-i-Quaid-i-Azam and Hilal-i-Imtiaz will be conferred upon recipients from various countries and sectors, acknowledging their contributions to Pakistan. The formal investiture ceremony for these awards is scheduled for Pakistan Day, March 23.