Nishan-e-Imtiaz is one of Pakistan's highest civil awards. PHOTO: WIKIMEDIA
ISLAMABAD: High civil awards for Begum Nusrat Bhutto, former Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer, as well as for Interior Minister Rehman Malik, Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy among a other high profile people will be conferred by President Asif Ali Zardari on Republic Day.
Zardari has approved 189 National Awards (Civil), and a large number of awards for armed forces servicemen. Of these, the President will decorate 67 awardees himself at an investiture ceremony being held at the Aiwan-e-Sadr on Friday, March 23, 2012.
Of those awarded five are foreign nationals, including a Hilal-e-Pakistan for Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand.
The Governor Punjab on behalf of the President will decorate 49 recipients of National Awards (Civil), at the investiture ceremony being held in Governor’s House Punjab, Lahore.
27 recipients of National Awards (Civil) will be decorated by Governor Sindh, on behalf of the President, at the investiture ceremony being held in Governor’s House Sindh, Karachi.
15 recipients of National Awards (Civil) will be decorated by Governor Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, at the Investiture ceremony being held in Governor’s House KP, Peshawar.
Governor Balochistan will decorate six recipients of the National Awards (Civil) at the investiture ceremony being held in Governor’s House Balochistan, Quetta.
Governor Gilgit Baltistan will decorate one recipient of National Awards (Civil) the ceremony being held in Governor House Gilgit Baltistan, Gilgit.
Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee will decorate 22 recipients of National Awards (Civil), on behalf of the President,at the Investiture Ceremony to be held later at JS HQ. As many as eight foreign nationals including one Pakistani expatriate will be decorated, by the heads of Pakistan missions located in the countries of respected recipients.
Among other prominent figures to be recognised include film actor Meera, Javed Sheikh, actors Nauman Ijaz, Qavi Khan among others. Musicians Sabir Hasan, Nafees Ahmed Khan will also be honoured. Sportsmen M. Ashraf Tai and Mohammad Yousuf will be decorated.
Among businessmen, Sultan Lakhani, Yahya Polani among others.
On the military side, Lieutenant Yasir Abbas, who was killed during he Mehran base attack, will be awarded an Imtiazi Sanad.
A complete list of civil awards can be viewed here.
A complete list of military awards can be viewed here.
Correction: Lieutenant Yasir Abbas’s designation was incorrectly mentioned in an earlier version of this article. The correction has been made.
Why on earth MEERA?Recommend
I understand the reason behind conferring the Hilal-a-Pakistan to Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy but cannot fathom why Nusrat Bhutto, Salmaan Taseer and Rehman Malik are being conferred with such a prestigious award, what have they done for this nation and country ?
Height of nepotism nothing else !!!!!!!!!!!!!
Recommend
why do you have to put meeras name between these two great personalities.
Recommend
Seriously? Seriously? Seriously? a national award to her?
Its a shame for all the respectable personalities who earned this medal.
Recommend
Meera?? Really??
Recommend
Meera is being awarded for her remarkable services in english literature. She introduced new metaphors and adages to english language after shakespere.
Recommend
Salman Taseer deserves recognition. Meera and Rehman Malik do not.
Recommend
I understand Mr. Shahbaz Bhatti is much more deserving than most of the people on the list.
Recommend
Huh? Meera? why?
Recommend
well, if meera then why not veena/
Recommend
Sorry??Did I just read Meera?
Recommend
if meera then why not me!!! why??!!
Recommend
Instead of giving Taseer the award, it would have been better if his kidnapped son had been recovered
Recommend
Meera? Why not Veena!?
By the way, Yasir Abbas was a Lieutenant; not a Captain. And it would have been more appropriate if the editors had preferred to use the word ‘martyred’ for him instead of ‘killed’.
Recommend
hahah Miss Meera ji is goin to be awarded…..what a shame if she gets it, any one is eligible enough to get the award.
Recommend
Well, lets just pray Meera don’t give a speech; or maybe she should, we all could use a laugh
Recommend
Meera,……….>>>>>..( LoL ) it happens only in Pakistan…..!!!
Recommend
What a farce this is! Every Tom, Dick and Harry is getting an award. Pathetic!
Recommend
Would this award even mean anything to people like sharmeen obaid chinoy and salmar taseer after it’s been handed to the likes of meera and rehman malik for god’s sake, Seriously?Recommend
They forgot the other Maliks; Shoaib Malik and Veena Malik. I’m sure if Meera and Rehman Malik can get these awards, so should Shoaib and Veena.
Recommend
Through this comment I would like the Pakistani authorities to seriously consider this PhD degree holder farmer who is living a extremely simple life in village and doing wonders on technological front. Such people deserve the highest awards;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5lQWiVhjSvo
Its such people who are the real heroes.
Recommend
Imran should be given a pride of performance award for stirring tsunami in a tea cup.
Recommend
Wow Meera, I find it hard to even mention Meera’s name along with Javed Sheikh, Nauman Ijaz and Qavi Khan. Some of the greatest actors had to wait all their lives to be awarded, such as Qavi Khan, and a mediocre actress like Meera will be awarded because she stood out for all the wrong reason but acting. wow….no wonder our country and govt. is so …… up.
Recommend
I think no one deserves these awards more than the shaheed armed forces servicemen… just had a look at the list… too long, so many lives.. really sad!
Recommend
@Rajendra Kalkhande:
Thanks for sharing that amazing video.
Recommend
Of all the people listed, Salman Taseer and Shahbaz Bhatii are the most deserving!
Recommend
Well Meera has been doing a great service to man kind, she should be recognized for her services.Recommend