President confers civil awards on prominent personalities

On the eve of Independence Day, President Asif Ali Zardari has conferred civil awards on prominent personalities for their meritorious services in various fields. General Liang Guanglie of China was awarded Hilal-i-Pakistan. Guanglie a member of CPC Central Committee and Central Military Commission, has been a strong supporter of deeper Pak-China military co-operation.
He played a crucial role towards further strengthening of Pak-China bilateral military relations through joint co-production of military hardware, joint military training and military exchanges at all tiers of command which resulted in the joint production of state of the art JF-17 aircraft and production of F-22P Frigates.
Professor Dr Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu of Turkey was awarded Hilal-i-Pakistan. He was the ninth Secretary General of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC). Over the last three decades of his association with OIC, Professor Ihsanoglu had not only been a friend and well wisher of Pakistan, but also a staunch and active supporter of the Kashmir cause.
He elevated his longstanding support to the Kashmir cause after assuming the stewardship of OIC by appointing, for the first time a Special Representative on Jammu & Kashmir and revitalised diplomatic support to the Kashmiri people and the struggle to realise their absolute right to self-determination.
Bano Quddsia from Punjab was awarded Hilal-i-Imtiaz. Bano is a freelance writer famous for her short stories, novels, TV, radio and stage plays. Her prominent short stories are Baz Gasht, Amar Bail and Doosara Darwaza. The novels written by her are Raja Giddh, Shehar-e-Bamessal and Hasal Ghatt. She has written scores of TV plays like Lagan Apni Apni, Zaviay, Meri Dairy, Aase Pase etc. She has also written over 65 Urdu and Punjabi long plays. She also wrote several short plays and skits.
Asma Jahangir was awarded Hilal-i-Imtiaz. An advocate by profession, she is closely associated with women and human rights organisations in the region. She was a leading figure in the campaign waged against promulgation of controversial Hudood Ordinance.
She defended many cases of discrimination against minorities, women and children. She is recipient of a number of international and national awards. Sitara-i-Imtiaz was conferred upon Professor Ayesha Jalal. She is a well known educationist is the Professor of History, Tufts University from 1999 to date. She remained Associate Professor Columbia University from 1991 to 1999.
She is also member Editorial Board, contemporary South Asian Studies Series, Cambridge University Press and member Editorial Board, Third Work Quarterly and Zameen. Her three well known books are Partisans of Allah: meaning of Jihad in South Asia, self and sovereignty individual and community in South Asian Islam since 1850s, and Democracy and Authoritarianism in South Asia: A comparative and historical perspective.
Professor Hasan Askari was awarded Sitara-i-Imtiaz. He is an independent political and defence analyst. He remained visiting Professor of Pakistan Studies at Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs and the Allama Iqbal Professor at Heidelberg University, Germany. He is famous in academic world for his books Military, State and Society in Pakistan. These books are used as textbooks in leading educational institutions in the world.
Late Syed Musa Raza (Santosh Kumar) from Punjab was given Sitara-i-Imtiaz (Posthumous). Late Syed Musa Raza was known as Santosh Kumar.
He was a famous film actor in the decade of 50s. He was superstar and first romantic hero of that era. He was widely regarded as a dignified, intelligent and charismatic fellow. He acted in more than 80 feature films of which a large number are still very popular.
Late Syed Salim Gillani from Punjab was awarded Sitara-i-Imtiaz (Posthumous). Gillani was a veteran broadcaster, known for his rich and varied experience spread over last four decades. He worked for documentation and preservation of the cultural heritage of Pakistan in the medium of sound.
He is known and acknowledged in the South Asian region for his professional expertise. He was an acknowledged musicologist and poet and member of Pakistan Writer's Guild. He also directed and produced films. He very skilfully introduced, groomed and provided projection to various notable artists like Mehdi Hasan, Reshman. Many books, numerous Ghazals and hit war songs are at his credit.
Late Hanif Ramay who belongs to Punjab was awarded Sitara-i-Imtiaz (Posthumous). He was an intellectual, writer, journalist, politician and above all an artist par-excellence is the name of Hanif Ramay. He is known for his versatility in expression as a painter and illustrator. The vibrant palette, linear quality, rhythmical and swirling movement of lines & composition are the Ramay's forte. He introduced fresh dimensions to the art of calligraphy.
He is the first calligrapher who ever paid a tribute to the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) by painting the attributes of Allah and a series of black and white frames portraying diversity in writing just the word Muhammad. He continued his creative venture despite his heavy political engagements. Sitara-i-Imtiaz was conferred upon Jamil Naqsh. He is one of the best painters of South Asian Sub-Continent and best in Pakistan.
His masterly work of art has been exhibited at dozens of solo and group exhibitions in Pakistan and abroad. His paintings are auctioned at Christies, Sotheebys and Bonhams, fetching in excess of US $100,000. Rahimullah Khan Yusufzai was awarded Sitara-i-Imtiaz. He is a senior journalist who is presently Resident Editor of the daily The News, Peshawar.
He is also a political and security analyst for private news channel Geo News. He has covered the Afghan conflict since 1978, and is widely quoted by the world media about the situation in Afghanistan, NWFP and tribal areas of Pakistan. He is a Member of Board of Directors of Sarhad Rural Support Programme and number of other NGOs.
Asad Umar from Sindh was given Sitara-i-Imtiaz. He has been actively engaged in developmental activities of the country. Projects of more than one & half billion dollars in the fields of fertiliser, petrochemical, food processing, power generation, terminal and storage are under implementation under his command.
A K Khan was awarded Sitara-i-Imtiaz. He is the pioneer of the Horticultural and landscape activities in Pakistan and now has an experience of over 60 years to his credit in this field. His passion in horticulture induced him to develop and design short courses in gardening, environment and horticulture for different segments of society free of charges and thus imparted technical advisory services.
As an outcome of his trainings thousands of plant nurseries and florist shops have been established. Dr Javed Ahmed Ghamidi received Sitara-i-Imtiaz. He is a religious scholar who worked on various topics related to Islamic philosophy, Islamic law and Islamic jurisprudence. His research works include Al-Bayan, Mizan and Burhan.
He founded Al-Mawrid, Institute of Islamic sciences in 1983, and re-established it in 1991. He had been Instructor at Civil Services Academy and regular speaker at Pakistan Administrative Staff College. Sitara-i-Imtiaz was conferred upon Allama Talib Johri, well known scholar and khateeb of international fame.
He had been teaching in various colleges and universities of Karachi. His TV programme of Sham-e-Ghariban and Fehmul Quran are highly acknowledged. He is also author of six books including three in poetry. Professor Rasul Bakhsh Rais was awarded Sitara-i-Imtiaz.
He is an internationally acknowledged scholar, researcher and teacher in the field of political sciences. He has served as Professor in various prestigious universities nationally and internationally. He has effectively promoted positive image of Pakistan, its people, culture and society among the community of international scholars. He has published 68 research papers in professional journals.
He writes weekly column on political and social issues for Daily Times. Earlier, he had been writing for The News and Muslim. His writings on political scene have received wide acclaim for their analytical quality, objectivity and forthrightness.
Fehmida Riaz who belongs to Sindh is given President's Award for Pride of Performance. She is a well-known writer and poet of South Asia. Her writings are recognised equally at national and international level. She has published two novels and a travelogue. Her literary works include Pathar Ki Zaban, Badn Darida, Hamrakab, Gudawary etc.
Her work has been translated into French, German and Russian Languages. Masud Mufti who belongs to Punjab was awarded President's Award for Pride of Performance. He is a renowned writer. He has many books to his credit like Chehray, Ham Nafas, Rug-e-Sang, Raizy, Salgirah etc.
Mahmood Shaam from Sindh is awarded President's Award for Pride of Performance. He is Group Editor of Pakistani Media conglomerate Jang Group, a famous and respected name in Pakistan's journalism society. During his career he served in almost all the famous newspapers groups. He travelled to dozens of foreign countries and is the author of several famous books.
Atta Muhammad Kakar who belongs to Balochistan was awarded Balochistan President's Award for Pride of Performance. Atta Muhammad Kakar has devoted his life for the cause of sports, especially in Balochistan. He introduced the game of boxing, gymnastic and buzzkushi in Balochistan. He also organised Balochistan Olympic Games a number of times and also arranged First Balochistan Special Persons Olympic Games.
He has been working with dedication for the cause and progress of sports for the last 35 years in Balochistan. Younus Khan, current captain of Pakistan cricket team and fellow cricketer Shahid Khan Afridi were awarded President's Award for Pride of Performance. Painter Najmi Sura and artist Shaheena Puri were awarded Tamgah-i-Imtiaz. Akbar Khameesu Khan from NWFP was awarded Tamgha-i-Imtiaz.