Sitara-e-imtiaz: Award conferred upon expatriate

The award was given to social worker Riaz Jawed Khawaja for his services to the Pakistani community in Saudi Arabia

ISLAMABAD: The prestigious Pakistani award has been conferred on a Pakistani expatriate in Saudi Arabia for the very first time. The Sitara-e-Imtiaz, a prestigious civilian award, has been given to prominent social worker and medical practitioner Riaz Jawed Khawaja for his services to the Pakistani community in Saudi Arabia and, in particular, the Pakistani community in Riyadh, Arab News reported. The star of excellence award recognises individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the security or national interests of Pakistan and world peace, as well as cultural and other significant public endeavors. “I am happy to be the first Pakistani expatriate in Saudi Arabia to have been conferred with the award,” said Khawaja.  Khawaja worked for 10 years with the Riyadh Central Hospital, at one time the biggest hospital in the Kingdom.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 27^th, 2014.