President Zardari approves military awards for 1,989 armed forces personnel

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari on Monday granted approval for military awards to be conferred upon 1,989 members of the Pakistan Armed Forces and Civil Armed Forces, the President's Secretariat announced.

According to a statement issued by the President's Secretariat, the awards were approved on the occasion of Pakistan Day, based on the recommendation of the prime minister and in accordance with Article 259(2) of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, 1973.

"The president has approved the conferment of military awards upon 1,989 personnel of the Pakistan Armed Forces and Civil Armed Forces on the occasion of Pakistan Day, on the recommendation of the prime minister, in terms of Article 259(2) of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, 1973."

Breakdown of approved awards

The approved awards encompass a wide range of military honours recognising the service and distinction of armed forces personnel across multiple categories.

Among the honours approved, 23 personnel will receive the Hilal-i-Imtiaz (military), while 100 will be awarded the Sitara-i-Imtiaz (military). A total of 136 personnel have been approved for the Tamgha-i-Imtiaz (military), the statement said.

Additionally, 11 members of the armed forces will receive the Sitara-i-Basalat, while a significantly larger number — 475 personnel — have been approved for the Tamgha-i-Basalat. The Imtiazi Sanad will be conferred upon 130 personnel, according to the President's Secretariat.

Service medals across three classes

The statement further noted that service medals — the Tamgha-i-Khidmat (military) — were also approved across three classes. A total of 175 personnel will receive the Tamgha-i-Khidmat (military) Class-I, 319 will be awarded the Tamgha-i-Khidmat (military) Class-II, and 620 personnel have been approved for the Tamgha-i-Khidmat (military) Class-III.

The Tamgha-i-Khidmat (military) Class-III, with 620 recipients, represents the largest single category among all the awards approved, while the Tamgha-i-Basalat, with 475 recipients, is the second-largest category.

The conferment of military awards on Pakistan Day is an annual tradition through which the state honours members of the armed forces for their service, bravery, and dedication to the country.