ISLAMABAD: Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari on Saturday issued instructions to award one of the country’s highest civilian honors to javelin ace Arshad Nadeem, who won a gold medal at the Paris Olympics with a massive throw of 92.97 meters this week.
Nadeem, who hails from a poor family in a rural settlement in the central Pakistani region of Khanewal, made history by ending his country’s 32-year Olympic medal drought while setting a new Games record.
He was expected to face tight competition from other athletes, particularly India’s defending champion Neeraj Chopra, but put significant pressure on them with his record-breaking throw on the second attempt.
The Pakistani athlete stood on the winners’ podium set in Champions Park near the Eiffel Tower on Friday, with his country’s flag hoisted high and the national anthem playing in the background.
“President Asif Ali Zardari has directed the awarding of Hilal-e-Imtiaz to Pakistani athlete Arshad Nadeem for his record performance in the Olympics,” an official statement announced.
“The President will present the civil award to Arshad Nadeem in a special ceremony in recognition of his outstanding services in the field of sports,” it added.
The statement mentioned the Presidency had sent a letter to the Cabinet Division on Zardari’s instruction to confer the honor on the Pakistani athlete.
“Arshad Nadeem has made the nation proud with his exceptional performance on the field,” Zardari was quoted as saying.
He emphasized that Nadeem’s achievement on the global stage had become a source of pride for the nation.
Hilal-e-Imtiaz, or Crescent of Excellence, has been conferred in the past to distinguished Pakistanis in diverse fields, including literature, arts, science and public service.
Pakistan president to confer civilian award on Arshad Nadeem after historic Olympic gold
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Pakistan president to confer civilian award on Arshad Nadeem after historic Olympic gold
- Pakistan’s javelin ace ended his country’s 32-year Olympic medal drought with his 92.97-meter throw
- President Zardari will present Hilal-e-Imtiaz to him in recognition of his services in the field of sports
Pakistan PM to attend World Economic Forum’s annual meeting in Switzerland next month
- The WEF meeting, scheduled to be held in Davos on Jan. 19-23, will focus on global challenges, public-private dialogue and cooperation
- Government, business, civil society and academia leaders will engage in forward-looking discussions to address these issues, set priorities
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will travel to Switzerland next month to attend the 56th annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF), Pakistani state media reported on Monday.
The WEF annual meeting, themed as ‘A Spirit of Dialogue,’ will be held from Jan. 19 to Jan. 23 in Davos, where world leaders from government, business, civil society and academia will engage in forward-looking discussions to address global issues and set priorities.
Prime Minister Sharif is expected to interact with global leaders and investors on economic challenges, regional and international issues and various opportunities for cooperation.
On Monday, Deputy PM Ishaq Dar presided over a meeting in Islamabad to oversee preparations for Sharif’s upcoming visit to Switzerland to attend the WEF meeting, the Radio Pakistan broadcaster reported.
“Dar instructed to maximize the engagements with the incoming Heads of States, Governments and senior leadership of economic, business and financial institutions,” the report read.
The WEF meeting program will be structured around key global challenges where public-private dialogue and cooperation, involving all stakeholders, is necessary for progress, according to the WEF website.
In addressing these challenges, growth, resilience and innovation will serve as cross-cutting imperatives, guiding how leaders engage with today’s complexity and pursue tomorrow’s opportunities.
Pakistani foreign ministry officials briefed the deputy PM about preparations for the WEF meeting, according to Radio Pakistan. The participants of Monday’s meeting in Islamabad discussed in detail the bilateral component and media engagements during the visit.
“He [Dar] further stressed that opportunities be explored to foster collaboration with private sector business entities,” the state broadcaster said.
