ISLAMABAD, May 14 — President Asif Ali Zardari conferred prestigious civil awards upon a diverse group of Pakistani and foreign nationals during an investiture ceremony at Aiwan-i-Sadr on Wednesday. Among the most prominent honors was the posthumous Sitara-i-Shuja’at awarded to Muhammad Liaqat, a railway employee who sacrificed his life to thwart a suicide bombing in Attock. The ceremony, attended by First Lady Aseefa Bhutto-Zardari and top state officials, recognized outstanding contributions across fields including public service, journalism, sports, and gallantry.
An emotional moment as the son of Shaheed Liaqat Ali shares his emotions on receiving Sitara-i-Imtiaz and thanks the President of Pakistan for this honour 🇵🇰#civilawards #presidency #sitaraiimtiaz #pakistan pic.twitter.com/NNMM0JkG6G
— The President of Pakistan (@PresOfPakistan) May 13, 2026
Quick Facts
- Muhammad Liaqat was posthumously awarded the Sitara-i-Shuja’at for intercepting a suicide bomber.
- Liaqat’s mother received the gallantry award on behalf of her late son.
- Nishan-i-Imtiaz (Posthumous) was conferred upon Nawabzada Nasrullah Khan and Irfanul Haq Siddiqui.
- Cricketer Shahid Afridi and playwright Asghar Nadeem Syed were among the recipients of the Hilal-i-Imtiaz.
- The Sitara-i-Imtiaz was awarded to Interior Secretary Muhammad Agha and several other high-ranking officials.
- Multiple security personnel were posthumously honored for their sacrifices in the line of duty.
- The ceremony recognized services in literature, research, health, and diplomatic affairs.
The recognition of Muhammad Liaqat highlights the state’s efforts to institutionalize the “Marka-i-Haq” narrative, celebrating civilian and military courage during the recent regional conflict. Liaqat’s intervention at the Mankoor checkpost in Jand is credited with preventing a catastrophic loss of life. His nomination and subsequent award followed strong recommendations from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider, signaling a unified federal and provincial acknowledgment of his heroism.
The investiture ceremony also served as a platform to honor veteran political figures and cultural icons. The conferment of the Nishan-i-Imtiaz upon the late Nawabzada Nasrullah Khan recognized his decades of service to Pakistani democracy. Meanwhile, awards given to figures like Shahid Afridi and Shehroz Kashif underscored the government’s focus on national soft power and sports excellence. The diverse list of recipients, ranging from local constables to international diplomats, reflects the administration’s broader strategy of reinforcing national unity and acknowledging the multifaceted contributions of citizens toward a stable and prosperous Pakistan.
