On Independence Day, top civil and military figures—including Field Marshal Munir and Bilawal—received Pakistan’s highest national awards for valor, leadership, and public service.
In a solemn ceremony at the Aiwan-e-Sadr marking Pakistan’s 78th Independence Day, President Asif Ali Zardari honored both military and civilian leaders for their exemplary service during the recent “Marka-e-Haq” conflict. Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir was awarded the prestigious Hilal-e-Jurat for his valorous leadership, while Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Babar Sidhu also received the same distinction. Chairman Joint Chiefs General Sahir Shamshad Mirza and Naval Chief Admiral Naveed Ashraf were among those awarded the Nishan-e-Imtiaz for their strategic contributions Pakistan’s National Awards The Express TribuneDaily Pakistan English News.
Meanwhile, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and a host of high-ranking federal ministers—including Ishaq Dar, Khawaja Asif, Ahsan Iqbal, Azam Nazeer Tarar, Attaullah Tarar, Mohsin Naqvi, and Rana Sanaullah—received the Nishan-e-Imtiaz for distinguished diplomatic, strategic, and governance efforts. Their recognition emphasizes the holistic national endeavor in both military defence and public service National Awards The Express TribuneDaily Pakistan English News.
The ceremony further included honors for numerous Armed Forces personnel who displayed conspicuous courage during Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos. Awards distributed ranged from Sitara-e-Jurat to Tamgha-e-Basalat, COAS Commendation Cards, and other military distinctions, celebrating sacrifices across ranks for safeguarding national sovereignty The Express TribuneThe News International
The awards ceremony took place in the context of the recent Pakistan–India tensions, which ended after Washington mediated a ceasefire between the two countries. The escalation followed Indian airstrikes inside Pakistan, which New Delhi claimed targeted militants it accused of involvement in the Pahalgam attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
In response, Pakistan launched Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos, stating it was retaliating against what it described as unprovoked aggression. According to official accounts, Pakistani forces engaged Indian aircraft, with the military claiming to have downed multiple fighter jets.
During the ceremony, Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Chief of Air Staff Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu was awarded the Hilal-e-Jurat for his role during the operation. On the diplomatic front, Pakistan initiated outreach efforts led by Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman and former foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, who visited the United States, United Kingdom, and other European nations to present Pakistan’s position internationally.
PAF Shaheens
In recognition of the Pakistan Air Force’s exceptional operational excellence and valour during the recent standoff with India, national awards were bestowed upon the following PAF officers.
Sitara-e-Jurat
- Wing Commander Bilal Raza General Duty Pilot (GDP)
- Wing Commander Hammad Ibne Masood, GDP
- Squadron Leader M Yousaf Khan, GDP
- Squadron Leader Muhammad Osama Ishfaq, GDP
- Squadron Leader Muhammad Hassan Anees, GDP
- Squadron Leader Talal Hassan, GDP
- Squadron Leader Fida Muhammad Khan, GDP
- Flight Lieutenant Muhammad Ashhad Amir, GDP
Sitara-e-Basalat
- Air Vice Marshal Muhammad Ehsan Ulhaq, GDP
- Air Vice Marshal Aurangzeb Ahmed, GDP
- Air Commodore Attaullah Zeb, GDP
- Air Commodore Zia Aftab, GDP
- Air Commodore Muhammad Noman Ali Khan, GDP
- Air Commodore Ali Javed Hashmi, Engineer (Engg)
- Air Commodore Sajjad Haider, AD
Tamgha-e-Basalat
- Squadron Leader Usman Yousaf, (shaheed) Engg
- Air Commodore Adeel Shahab Qureshi, GDP
- Air Commodore Farhan Zia, GDP
- Air Commodore Jehanzeb Burki, Engg
- Air Commodore Azhar Hasan, Engg
- Air Commodore Rana Ilyas Hassan, Air Defence (AD)
- Air Commodore Syed Muhammad Kamran Abid, AD
- Group Captain Muhammad Salman, AD
- Wing Commander Wajeeh Ullah Mian, GDP
- Wing Commander Muhammad Shafaat Saeed, GDP
- Wing Commander Malik Rizwan-Ul-Haq Iftikhar, GDP
- Wing Commander Haider Ijaz, GDP
- Wing Commander Junaid Azam, GDP
- Wing Commander Awais Nazir, GDP
- Squadron Leader Jibran Rashid, GDP
- Squadron Leader Kashif Bashir, GDP
- Squadron Leader Hassaan Khan, GDP
- Squadron Leader Muhammad Zeeshan, GDP
- Squadron Leader Muhammad Saad, GDP
- Squadron Leader Saad Arif, Engg
- Squadron Leader Aamir Ghafoor, AD
- Squadron Leader Muhammad Arqam Raees, AD
- Flight Lieutenant Muhammad Nouman Shafique, GDP
