Pakistan confers highest civil award on Jordan’s king Abdullah

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari on Sunday conferred Pakistan’s highest civil award, the Nishan-e-Pakistan, on Jordan’s King Abdullah II during a special ceremony held at the Aiwan-e-Sadr, followed by a luncheon in his honour.

Civil and military leadership from both countries attended the event. From Pakistan’s side, President Asif Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Chief of Army Staff and Field Marshal Asim Munir, Senate Chairman Yousuf Raza Gillani, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, and First Lady Asifa Bhutto were present on the occasion.

Field Marshal Asim Munir remained a notable focus during the ceremony. Participants also praised the army chief for what they described as his crucial role in Pakistan’s response to the Indian attack in May, calling it a “historic victory.”

Four MoUs between Pakistan and Jordan

A day earlier (Saturday), Pakistan and Jordan also signed four documents aimed at strengthening cultural, academic and media cooperation between the two countries.

Both sides signed a Programme for Cultural Cooperation and agreed to establish a Chair in Urdu and Pakistan Studies at the University of Jordan. In addition, agreements were formalised between the Pakistan Television Corporation and Jordan Radio and Television Corporation, and between the Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation and Jordan Radio and Television Corporation, aimed at enhancing radio content sharing, professional training, and technological support.

The Jordan’s King Abdullah II arrived in Pakistan in the evening today (Saturday) on a two-day official visit.

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and other top officials received him at Nur Khan Airbase.