ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari has approved Pakistan Civil Awards for 355 individuals in recognition of their services to the country, according to an official announcement.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi will be conferred the Nishan-i-Imtiaz, while Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb will receive a civil award in recognition of his services.
Federal Minister Ahad Cheema and Minister of State Bilal Azhar Kayani have also been approved for civil awards.
Singer Taranum Naz and actress Nisho Begum will receive the Sitara-i-Imtiaz, while Attorney General Mansoor Usman Awan will be conferred the Hilal-i-Imtiaz.
Finance Secretary Imdadullah Bosal and Federal Board of Revenue Chairman Rashid Mahmood Langrial are also among those approved for civil awards.
The list includes several foreign dignitaries. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan will receive the Sitara-i-Pakistan, while Turkey’s defence and trade ministers have also been approved for civil awards. A Russian deputy prime minister is also among the foreign recipients.
According to the announcement, awards have been approved for six individuals in science, two in engineering, 21 in education and 10 in medicine.
In the arts category, 53 individuals will receive awards, while 29 will be recognised for services to literature. Awards have also been approved for nine people in sports and 11 in journalism.
The list further includes 10 individuals for social services, 67 for public service and 95 for acts of exceptional bravery.
In addition, 22 foreign nationals and 20 overseas Pakistanis have been approved for civil awards in recognition of their services to Pakistan.
The awards are part of the country’s annual recognition of individuals who have made significant contributions across public service, professional, artistic, academic and social fields.
