President Zardari confers National Awards on Independence Day

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari has approved the conferral of national awards to 104 Pakistani citizens and foreigners for their services to Pakistan, to be presented on March 23, 2025.

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Among the honourees, the late Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, former prime minister and founder of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), will receive the Nishan-e-Pakistan for his contributions to public service. The Hilal-i-Imtiaz will be awarded to athlete Arshad Nadeem and physician Dr. Shehryar, while mountaineer Murad Sadpara is set to receive the Sitara-i-Imtiaz.

In the field of science and technology, Hilal-i-Imtiaz is conferred upon Jazz CEO Aamir Hafeez Ibrahim. In education, Sadia Rashid is recognised with the Hilal-i-Imtiaz, and Zia-ul-Haq, Dr. Sulaiman Shahabuddin, and Syed Azhar Hussain Abidi will receive the Sitara-i-Imtiaz.

Amonst foreign recipients, Hilal-i-Pakistan is awarded to Prince Abdul Aziz bin Salman Al Saud for his services, and Hilal-e-Quaid-e-Azam conferred on Foo Chi Hung and Mohammad Saif Al Suwaidi.

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Posthumous awards include the Nishan-i-Imtiaz for the late poet Nasir Kazmi, and the Hilal-e-Shujaat for Sub-Inspector Taimur Shehzad and other fallen officers for their bravery.

The awards also extend to achievements in the arts, literature, sports, and social services, reflecting a broad recognition of contributions across various fields.