COAS, PAF Chief, Bilawal Among Recipients of Top National Awards

Marking the 78th Independence Day on Thursday — with a special emphasis on Marka-e-Haq, the recent armed conflict with India — the President House hosted a special investiture ceremony, honouring the country’s top civil and military leaders with national awards.

Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif Awarded Nishan-e-Imtiaz for Exemplary Role in Recent Indo-Pak War and Operation “Bunyan Un Marsoos”

Islamabad, August 14, 2025 — The Government of Pakistan has conferred the prestigious Nishan-e-Imtiaz upon Defence Minister… pic.twitter.com/qtsvigSd5h

— PTV News (@PTVNewsOfficial) August 14, 2025

Among the awardees was Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Asim Munir, who received the Hilal-e-Jurat from President Asif Ali Zardari for his leadership during one of the most challenging periods in Pakistan’s history. The ceremony was held against the backdrop of the latest Pakistan-India confrontation, during which Washington brokered a ceasefire following Indian air strikes inside Pakistan — carried out under the claim of targeting militants allegedly responsible for the Pahalgam attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).

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In retaliation, Pakistan launched Operation Bunyan-Um-Marsoos, downing six Indian Air Force fighter jets — including three Rafales — in response to what it called unprovoked aggression. For his leadership during the operation, Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Chief of Air Staff Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu was also awarded the Hilal-e-Jurat.

Following the conflict, Pakistan mounted a diplomatic campaign. A delegation led by Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman and former foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari visited the United States, the United Kingdom, and other European countries to present Pakistan’s position and counter Indian narratives. The delegation — comprising Hina Rabbani Khar, Sherry Rehman, Dr Musadik Malik, Khurram Dastgir Khan, Jalil Abbas Jilani, Tehmina Janjua, Bushra Anjum Butt, and Syed Faisal Subzwari — held high-level meetings with foreign officials. In recognition of his role, Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari was conferred with the Nishan-e-Imtiaz.

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The president also awarded military honours to Pakistan Army, Navy, and Air Force personnel for their courage and sacrifice during Operation Bunyan-Um-Marsoos. The honours included eight Sitara-e-Jurat, five Tamgha-e-Jurat, 24 Sitara-e-Basalat, 45 Tamgha-e-Basalat, 146 Imtiazi Asnad, 259 COAS Commendation Cards, and one Tamgha-e-Imtiaz (Military).

Senior journalist and The News Editor Investigations, Ansar Abbasi, declined the Marka-e-Haq Award, stating in a letter to the Cabinet Secretary that the entire nation was deserving of the recognition. He added that he had done nothing extraordinary, emphasising that he was simply fulfilling his duty.

PAF Honours
In tribute to the Pakistan Air Force’s exceptional skill and bravery during the standoff with India, the following officers received national awards:

Sitara-e-Jurat

• Wing Commander Bilal Raza, GDP

• Wing Commander Hammad Ibne Masood, GDP

• Squadron Leader M Yousaf Khan, GDP

• Squadron Leader Muhammad Osama Ishfaq, GDP

• Squadron Leader Muhammad Hassan Anees, GDP

• Squadron Leader Talal Hassan, GDP

• Squadron Leader Fida Muhammad Khan, GDP

• Flight Lieutenant Muhammad Ashhad Amir, GDP

  Sitara-e-Basalat

  • Air Vice Marshal Muhammad Ehsan Ulhaq, GDP

  • Air Vice Marshal Aurangzeb Ahmed, GDP

  • Air Commodore Attaullah Zeb, GDP

  • Air Commodore Zia Aftab, GDP

  • Air Commodore Muhammad Noman Ali Khan, GDP

  • Air Commodore Ali Javed Hashmi, Engg

  • Air Commodore Sajjad Haider, AD

  Tamgha-e-Basalat

  • Squadron Leader Usman Yousaf (Shaheed), Engg

  • Air Commodore Adeel Shahab Qureshi, GDP

  • Air Commodore Farhan Zia, GDP

  • Air Commodore Jehanzeb Burki, Engg

  • Air Commodore Azhar Hasan, Engg

  • Air Commodore Rana Ilyas Hassan, AD

  • Air Commodore Syed Muhammad Kamran Abid, AD

  • Group Captain Muhammad Salman, AD

  • Wing Commander Wajeeh Ullah Mian, GDP

  • Wing Commander Muhammad Shafaat Saeed, GDP

  • Wing Commander Malik Rizwan-Ul-Haq Iftikhar, GDP

  • Wing Commander Haider Ijaz, GDP

  • Wing Commander Junaid Azam, GDP

  • Wing Commander Awais Nazir, GDP

  • Squadron Leader Jibran Rashid, GDP

  • Squadron Leader Kashif Bashir, GDP

  • Squadron Leader Hassaan Khan, GDP

  • Squadron Leader Muhammad Zeeshan, GDP

  • Squadron Leader Muhammad Saad, GDP

  • Squadron Leader Saad Arif, Engg

  • Squadron Leader Aamir Ghafoor, AD

  • Squadron Leader Muhammad Arqam Raees, AD

  • Flight Lieutenant Muhammad Nouman Shafique, GDP