ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s President Dr. Arif Alvi on Monday conferred the country’s most prestigious civil awards on Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud and UAE Vice President Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, on the occasion of the South Asian country’s 77th Independence Day. 

Pakistan enjoys deep-rooted ties with Saudi Arabia and the UAE based on shared values, faith, cultures, defense and military ties. In June, the two Gulf countries helped Pakistan avoid a sovereign default by providing Pakistan much-needed $3 billion in funds that were crucial in convincing the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to approve a bailout program for the South Asian country. 

The civilian awards for foreign nationals are meant to recognize people who have made a “meritorious contribution” to Pakistan’s national interest, the official website of the president of Pakistan states.

“On the occasion of 77th Independence Anniversary of Pakistan, President Dr. Arif Alvi has conferred Pakistan Civil Awards on 696 Pakistani as well as foreign nationals for showing excellence and courage in their respective fields,” a report by the state-run Radio Pakistan said. 

According to a list issued by the government’s Cabinet Division, Alvi conferred the ‘Hilal-i-Pakistan’ award on Prince Khalid bin Salman. The Pakistani president conferred the ‘Hilal-i-Quaid-i-Azam’ on Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nayhan. Both dignitaries were honored for their “services to Pakistan,” the list mentioned. 

The investiture ceremony of these awards are scheduled to take place on March 23, 2024 on Pakistan’s Republic Day. 

Meanwhile, the Pakistani president on July 31 conferred the ‘Hilal-i-Pakistan’ award on Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng in recognition of his efforts to promote Pakistan-China friendship. The investiture ceremony of the award had taken place when the Chinese vice premier arrived in Pakistan on a three-day visit to mark 10 years of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project.