ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan government has given the second highest award to Major General Awad Bin Abdullah Al-Zahrani, the Saudi defense attaché in the country, to acknowledge his services in promoting and strengthening security ties between the two countries.
The Hilal-e-Imtiaz or Crescent of Excellence is bestowed upon both civilian and military officials, and is open to Pakistani nationals and foreign citizens who have made significant contributions to the country’s security or national interests, world peace, cultural or other public endeavors.
The award is given to prominent individuals on Pakistan Day, celebrated annually on March 23 to commemorate the adoption of the Lahore Resolution in 1940, which called for the creation of an independent sovereign state for the Muslims of the Subcontinent.
“Heartiest felicitations to Maj Gen (Pilot) Staff Awad Bin Abdullah Al-Zahrani, the Defense Attache of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on being awarded Hilal-e-Imtiaz (Military) by the President of Pakistan,” Senator Sehar Kamran, a former Pakistani parliamentarian, wrote in a Twitter post.
Al-Zahrani also received the award for his personal efforts in facilitating the early supply of relief goods during the unprecedented floods in Pakistan last year, which claimed 1,700 lives and affected over 33 million people.
In addition to the Saudi official, Shaikh Mohammed Bin Salman Al-Khalifa, the commander of Bahrain National Guards, was also awarded the Nishan-i-Imtiaz or Order of Excellence award.
During Thursday’s ceremony, President Dr. Arif Alvi presented awards to 135 citizens and foreign nationals in recognition of their contributions to their respective fields.
Among the recipients were 49 officers and soldiers of Pakistan’s army, navy, and air force, including the families of four martyred troops.
