ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s armed force personnel on Thursday honoured for acts of exceptional bravery, sacrifice and distinguished service during a prestigious investiture ceremony held at the Presidency.
President Asif Ali Zardari conferred some of the country’s highest military honours upon officers and soldiers from the army, air force and navy.
The ceremony recognised individuals for their national contributions and acts of courage carried out under difficult and often life-threatening circumstances.
Senior military officials, families of award recipients and distinguished guests attended the event, which paid tribute to both serving personnel and those who embraced martyrdom in the line of duty.
One of the most significant moments of the ceremony was the posthumous conferment of the Sitara-e-Basalat upon Lieutenant Colonel Muhammad Ali Shaheed for exceptional bravery and sacrifice during an operation against terrorists.
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Another recipient of the Sitara-e-Basalat was Sepoy Israr Muhammad, who was recognised for exceptional courage while serving as a security guard for Pakistan’s Chargé d’Affaires in Kabul.
Air Marshal Kashif Qamar was awarded the Hilal-e-Imtiaz (Military) for outstanding performance, while Air Marshal Amir Shehzad and Major General Muhammad Shahid Abro received the Hilal-e-Imtiaz (Military) in recognition of distinguished national service.
Major General Sibtain Rafiq was also awarded the Hilal-e-Imtiaz (Military) for meritorious services.
Rear Admiral Mazhar Mahmood Malik, Major General Malik Maqbool Raza, Air Vice Marshal Shahid Mansoor Jahangiri, Air Vice Marshal Khalid Mahmood and Major General Ejaz Ahmad were awarded the Hilal-e-Imtiaz (Military) for distinguished national service.
Rear Admiral Rizwan Sadiq, Major General Malik Muhammad Shehzad, Major General Amir Ashfaq Kiani, Air Vice Marshal Tahir Mahmood, Major General Qaisar Suleman, Major General Umar Naseem and Major General Luqman Hafeez were awarded the Hilal-e-Imtiaz (Military) for exceptional services.
Overseas Pakistanis honoured with civil awards
Meanwhile, a ceremony was held at the Pakistan High Commission in London to confer civil awards upon distinguished overseas Pakistanis residing in the UK.
On behalf of the President of Pakistan, Acting High Commissioner Haseeb Bin Aziz presented the awards in recognition of outstanding contributions in various professional fields, according to an official statement on Thursday.
The Sitare-i-Imtiaz was conferred upon Mr. Fukhera (Frank) Khalid for his services in business and entrepreneurship. Frank Khalid is a prominent UK-based businessman and entrepreneur with interests spanning retail, restaurants and film production.
He also maintains extensive investments in Pakistan and is widely recognised for his philanthropic efforts supporting charitable initiatives connected to the country.
The Tamgha-i-Imtiaz was awarded to Dr. Irfan Malik for his contributions in the field of neurosurgery, particularly spinal surgery.
Dr. Irfan Malik is a distinguished Pakistani neurosurgeon associated with King’s College Hospital and specialises in complex spine surgery, endoscopic spine surgery, epilepsy surgery and minimally invasive spinal procedures.
He has performed the highest number of endoscopic spine surgeries in the UK.
