Islamabad, August 14: Pakistan celebrated its 78th Independence Day with a grand ceremony at Aiwan-e-Sadr, where the nation’s top civil and military leaders were honoured for their exceptional contributions to the country.
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif led the ceremony, joined by Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Senate Chairman, National Assembly Speaker, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Aseefa Bhutto Zardari, and other senior dignitaries.
Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, Information Minister Atta Tarar, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, and Rana Sanaullah each received the Nishan-e-Imtiaz. Ishaq Dar was recognised for effectively representing Pakistan’s stance on the diplomatic front, while Bilawal Bhutto was honoured for his significant diplomatic efforts.
Military Leadership Recognition
Field Marshal Asim Munir and Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Babar were awarded the Hilal-e-Jurat, while Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff General Sahir Shamshad Mirza and Naval Chief Admiral Naveed Ashraf received the Nishan-e-Imtiaz.
Members of the Prime Minister’s diplomatic team, including Senator Sherry Rehman, Faisal Subzwari, Hina Rabbani Khar, Khurram Dastgir Khan, Bushra Anjum, Umar Farooq, Jalil Abbas Jilani, Musadik Malik, and Tariq Fatemi, were honoured with the Hilal-e-Imtiaz.
Gallantry in the Skies
Pakistan Air Force heroes received high recognition for their combat success. Wing Commander Bilal Raza, Wing Commander Hammad Ibn Masood, Squadron Leader Muhammad Yousaf Khan, Squadron Leader Usama Ashfaq, Squadron Leader Muhammad Hassan Anees, Squadron Leader Talal Hassan, Squadron Leader Fida Muhammad Khan, and Flight Lieutenant Muhammad Ashhad were awarded the Sitara-e-Jurat for remarkable bravery in aerial missions.
Tribute to Martyrs
Pakistan posthumously honoured Lance Havaldar Amir Shiraz, Lance Naik Ikramullah, and Sepoy Adeel Akbar with the Tamgha-e-Jurat. Sepoy Nisar Ahmed Shaheed received the Sitara-e-Basalat. Senior Army leaders, including Lieutenant Generals Muhammad Asim Malik, Nauman Zakria, Muhammad Zafar Iqbal, Syed Amir Raza, Shahid Imtiaz, and Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, also received the Sitara-e-Basalat.
Additional Honours
The Sitara-e-Basalat was also awarded to Vice Admiral Raja Rab Nawaz, Rear Admiral Abdul Muneeb, Rear Admiral Faisal Amin, Major General Wajid Aziz, Air Vice Marshal Muhammad Ihsan ul Haque, Major General Kashif Abdullah, Air Vice Marshal Aurangzeb Ahmed, Rear Admiral Shehzad Hameed, Major General Muhammad Jawad Tariq, and Major General Tajdeed Mumtaz.
Air Commodores Attaullah Zaib, Zia Aftab, Muhammad Nauman Ali Khan, Ali Javed Hashmi, Sajjad Haider, along with Captain Asif Ameen and Captain Muhammad Haider Ali, also received national recognition for distinguished service.
