President Asif Ali Zardari announced national awards for 104 Pakistanis and foreigners, recognizing their contributions and sacrifices in various fields. The awards were declared on Pakistan’s 77th Independence Day and will be formally presented on March 23, 2025, during an investiture ceremony.
The awards spanned a range of categories, including science, education, medicine, arts, literature, sports, social services, and public service. Notable recipients included former President Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, who was posthumously awarded the Nishan-i-Pakistan for his public service, and Olympian Arshad Nadeem, who received the Hilal-i-Imtiaz for his recent gold medal victory in the Paris Olympics.
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In the field of literature, the late Nasir Kazmi was posthumously honored with the Nishan-i-Imtiaz, while Saudi Prince Abdulaziz Bin Salman Al Saud received the Hilal-i-Pakistan for his services to Pakistan. In sports, mountaineer Murad Sadpara was awarded the Sitara-i-Imtiaz for his achievements.
The awards also recognized excellence in science, with individuals such as Amir Hafeez Ibrahim and Dr. Ghulam Muhammad Ali receiving high honors. In education, Sadia Rasheed was awarded the Hilal-i-Imtiaz, while others were recognized with the Sitara-i-Imtiaz and Presidential Pride of Performance for their significant contributions.
