Overview
- The Aiwan-e-Sadr ceremonies, which ran Wednesday and Thursday, recognized 125 recipients with Pakistan’s state orders across journalism, arts, public service, sports, science, and bravery.
- Notable civilian honorees included BOL journalists Ihtasham ul Haque with the Hilal‑i‑Imtiaz and Adil Abbasi with the Tamgha‑i‑Imtiaz, former cricket captain Shahid Afridi with the Hilal‑i‑Imtiaz, and writers Ata ul Haq Qasmi and the late Irfan Siddiqui with the Nishan‑e‑Imtiaz.
- Bravery decorations went to many police and security personnel who were killed in the line of duty, while Liaqat Ali, a civilian who stopped a suicide attack near Attock, received the Sitara‑e‑Shujaat with his family accepting the medal.
- A separate military session Thursday conferred 47 distinctions, including Hilal‑i‑Imtiaz (Military) for senior Army, Air Force, and Navy officers, and Sitara‑e‑Basalat posthumously for Lt Col Muhammad Ali Shaukat, Sepoy Soban Majeed Baloch, and Sepoy Israr Muhammad.
- An online document reported by Pakistan Observer claimed VIP lounge access, guest‑house stays, firearm allowances, and cash rewards for awardees, but no major outlet or official source has verified these alleged privileges.