President Asif Ali Zardari today honoured Pakistan’s armed forces at an investiture at Aiwan-e-Sadr, Islamabad, presenting some of the country’s highest military awards to officers and soldiers of the Army, Air Force and Navy.
The ceremony recognised extraordinary bravery, sacrifice and distinguished service; senior military leaders, recipients’ families and guests attended, with tributes to both serving personnel and those who laid down their lives.
A posthumous Sitara-e-Basalat was awarded to Lt. Col. Muhammad Ali Shaheed for leadership during an operation on the night of 4-5 October 2024: after a search mission his teams were ambushed, he was severely wounded, continued to command and was martyred.
Sepoy Israr Muhammad received the Sitara-e-Basalat for bravery while serving as a security guard for Pakistan’s Chargé d’Affaires in Afghanistan.
According to details presented at the ceremony, on December 2, 2022, a sniper attack targeted the Pakistani diplomatic mission in Kabul.
Amid the sudden roar of gunfire and the chaos that followed, Israr Muhammad reportedly threw himself between the attacker and the diplomat, shielding the diplomat with no regard for his own life. Despite being severely injured, he continued to move the diplomat toward a secure location while bullets kept striking around them. His steadfast courage and resolve under relentless fire drew widespread admiration during the ceremony.
Officials praised his conduct as an emblem of bravery and selfless service, noting that his actions have been acknowledged at both national and international levels.
Several senior officers were also recognized with the Hilal-i-Imtiaz (Military) for distinguished professional and national service.
Recipients included:
- Air Marshal Kashif Qamar — for exceptional performance
- Air Marshal Aamir Shehzad — for outstanding services
- Air Vice Marshal Muhammad Aamir Hayat — for notable professional contributions
- Major General Muhammad Shahid Abro — in recognition of his national services
Other honoured officers were Major General Sibtain Rafiq, Rear Admiral Mazhar Mahmood Malik, Air Vice Marshal Rizwan Sadiq, Major General Muhammad Maqbool Raza and Air Vice Marshal Shahid Mansoor Jahangiri.
Further awards were conferred upon Air Vice Marshal Khalid Mahmood, Major General Aijaz Ahmad, Major General Malik Muhammad Shehzad, Major General Aamir Ashfaq Kiani and Air Vice Marshal Tahir Mahmood for their distinguished contributions and valuable services.