Civil, Military Leadership and Martyrs Honoured on Independence Day

 ISLAMABAD:Ali Imran Chattha 

"Pakistan marked its 79th Independence Day with a national awards ceremony at Aiwan-e-Sadr, where President Asif Ali Zardari conferred top military and civilian honours. The event, attended by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, services chiefs, senior ministers and the families of martyrs, paid tribute to those who served during the recent Marka-e-Haq conflict, fought under Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos earlier this year Top Military Leaders Decorated The nation’s highest military recognitions were awarded to the commanders who led operations during the conflict. Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir received the Hilal-e-Jur’at, Pakistan’s second-highest wartime gallantry medal, for his leadership on the ground. Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu was also decorated with the Hilal-e-Jur’at for commanding the decisive aerial phase of the battle. Naval Chief Admiral Naveed Ashraf and Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Sahir Shamshad Mirza were honoured with the Nishan-e-Imtiaz (Military). Senior intelligence and operations commanders, including DG ISI Lt Gen Muhammad Asim Malik and DG ISPR Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, received the Hilal-e-Imtiaz (Military). In total, 8 Sitara-e-Jur’at, 5 Tamgha-e-Jur’at, 24 Sitara-e-Basalat, 45 Tamgha-e-Basalat, 146 Imtiazi Sanad, 259 COAS Commendation Cards and one Tamgha-e-Imtiaz (Military) were announced across the three services Bilawal Bhutto Among Civilian Recipients Among the civilian leadership, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party, was conferred the Nishan-e-Imtiaz (Civilian). He was recognised for leading Pakistan’s diplomatic delegation to New York, London and Brussels, where he presented the country’s stance and engaged with the international community during the crisis. Other senior politicians, including Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, also received the Nishan-e-Imtiaz (Civilian) for their leadership and contributions to national unity. Diplomatic Delegation Recognised Members of Bilawal’s diplomatic team were similarly acknowledged for their role in advancing Pakistan’s case abroad. Sherry Rehman, Dr Musadik Malik, Khurram Dastagir, Hina Rabbani Khar, Senator Faisal Subzwari, Tehmina Janjua and Jalil Abbas Jilani were each awarded the Hilal-e-Imtiaz (Civilian). They were praised for presenting Pakistan’s narrative effectively in international forums. Martyrs of Marka-e-Haq Remembered The ceremony also honoured those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Squadron Leader Usman Yousaf, Havaldar Muhammad Naveed, Naik Waqar Khalid and Lance Naik Dilawar Khan were posthumously awarded the Tamgha-e-Basalat. Naik Abdul Rehman, Lance Naik Ikramullah and Sepoy Adeel Akbar received the Tamgha-e-Jur’at, while Senior Technician Najeeb Sultan, Chief Technician Muhammad Aurangzeb, Corporal Technician Farooq and Senior Technician Mubashir were recognised with the Imtiazi Sanad. President’s Address In his remarks, President Zardari lauded the bravery of the armed forces, the sacrifices of martyrs and the unity displayed by the civilian leadership. He said the awards reflected the gratitude of the nation to those who defended Pakistan’s sovereignty — on the battlefield, at sea, in the air and on the diplomatic front.