ISLAMABAD – President Asif Ali Zardari on Thursday conferred Pakistan’s highest civil and military honours on senior commanders, national leaders, and key officials for their exceptional performance during Marka-e-Haq, the operation in which Pakistan dealt India a decisive blow.
At a prestigious ceremony at Aiwan-e-Sadr, Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir received the Hilal-e-Jurat for leading the army from the front and crafting the winning war strategy. Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Babar Sidhu was awarded the Hilal-e-Imtiaz for his leadership in the air domain.
Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Sahir Shamshad Mirza and Naval Chief Admiral Naveed Ashraf received the Nishan-e-Imtiaz, while DG ISI Lt Gen Asim Malik was awarded the Sitara-e-Basalat.
Recognising their battlefield bravery, the Tamgha-e-Basalat was presented to DG Military Operations Maj Gen Kashif Abdullah, Air Vice Marshal Aurangzeb Ahmed, and Rear Admiral Shahzad Hamid.
The ISPR confirmed that military awards were also approved for officers and soldiers who demonstrated “conspicuous courage and supreme sacrifice” during Operation Bunyanum Marsoos. These included 8 Sitara-e-Jurat, 5 Tamgha-e-Jurat, 24 Sitara-e-Basalat, 45 Tamgha-e-Basalat, 146 Imtiazi Asnad, 259 COAS Commendation Cards, and 1 Tamgha-e-Imtiaz (Military).
On the political front, the Nishan-e-Imtiaz was awarded to top leaders for countering India’s diplomatic and propaganda offensives. Deputy PM Ishaq Dar was recognised for defending Pakistan’s stance on global platforms, while Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar was honoured for his legal expertise on the Indus Waters Treaty dispute.
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, and Information Minister Attaullah Tarar were acknowledged for strengthening national resolve, maintaining internal stability, and countering misinformation. Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Foreign Affairs leader Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, and political aide Rana Sanaullah also received honours for their strategic contributions.
Special awards went to Federal Minister Musadik Malik, former diplomat Tariq Fatemi, Senators Sherry Rehman, Faisal Subzwari, and Bushra Anjum, NA Foreign Affairs Chair Hina Rabbani Khar, and Khurram Dastgir Khan for advancing Pakistan’s narrative abroad.
Officials hailed the ceremony as a tribute to the unity of Pakistan’s military and political leadership, which they said was pivotal in securing a “historic victory” over India.
