Pakistan honours leading celebrities, writers and athletes at civil awards ceremonies

Pakistani celebrities, writers, artists, and sports personalities were among the recipients of this year’s civil awards, honoured on Wednesday for their outstanding contributions to music, journalism, literature, acting, the arts, and sports. Ceremonies were held in Islamabad, Peshawar, and Karachi.

At the main ceremony in Islamabad, President Asif Ali Zardari conferred the country’s highest civil honours in the presence of senior political leaders, including Yousaf Raza Gillani, Ayaz Sadiq, and Aseefa Bhutto Zardari, along with federal ministers, parliamentarians, civil and military officials, and diplomats.

The Nishan-e-Imtiaz was awarded to writers Ata ul Haq Qasmi and Irfan Siddiqui in recognition of their contributions to literature. Celebrated poets Zehra Nigah and Zehra Majid Ali, along with noted playwright Asghar Nadeem Syed, received the Hilal-e-Imtiaz for their services to the arts.

Waqas Khan was honoured with the Tamgha-e-Imtiaz. He is well-known for his meticulous, minimalist drawings including public collections at the British Museum. Muhammad Ibrahim Muhammad Abdul Qadir was awarded the Sitara-e-Pakistan for his diplomatic services.

The president also honoured figures from photography and visual arts, including photographer Irfan Ahson and visual artist Hamra Abbas. Actors Rashid Waheed Khawaja and Zahid Ahmed were also recognised, while singer Hadiqa Kiani received the Sitara-e-Imtiaz for her achievements in music.

In sports, former Pakistan cricket captain Shahid Afridi was awarded the Hilal-e-Imtiaz for his services to the game. He was honoured alongside mountaineer Shehroze Kashif and the late equestrian Malik Ata Muhammad Khan. Shooter Mohsin Nawaz also received recognition, while artist Waseem Ahmed was awarded the Tamgha-e-Imtiaz.