Marka-e-Haq: Armed Forces heroes receive military awards

ISLAMABAD: Officers of the Army, Navy, and Air Force were awarded military awards for their extraordinary courage and great sacrifice during Operation ‘Banyan Marsus’.

President Asif Zardari awarded 488 officers and men of the Pakistan Army.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), 8 soldiers were awarded the Sitara-e-Jurat, 5 were awarded the Tamgha-e-Jurat, and 24 were awarded the Sitara-e-Bisalat.

The recipients of the Sitara-e-Jurat include Wing Commander Bilal Raza, Wing Commander Hammad Ibn Masood, Squadron Leader M Yousaf Khan, and Squadron Leader Muhammad Osama Ashfaq.

Squadron Leader Muhammad Hassan Anis, Squadron Leader Talal Hassan, and Squadron Leader Fida Muhammad are also among the recipients of the Sitara-e-Jurat.

According to the ISPR, 45 soldiers were awarded the Medal of Honor, and 146 were awarded certificates of distinction, while 259 were awarded Chief of Army Staff Commendation Cards, and one soldier was awarded the Tamgha-e-Imtiaz (Military).

The Pakistan Army Public Relations Department said that Lance Havaldar Aamir Shiraz Shaheed, Naik Abdul Rehman Shaheed were awarded the Medal of Courage, Lance Naik Akramullah Shaheed, Sepoy Adeel Akbar, and Captain Ali Hassan were also awarded the Tamgha-e-Jurat.

Awards for Political and Military Leadership

Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir was awarded the Hilal-e-Jurat. The award recognized his exceptional leadership during a critical national moment known as “Mark Haq”, where he displayed unparalleled bravery, operational expertise and unwavering patriotism under immense pressure.

From the military leadership, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf was awarded the Nishan-e-Imtiaz (Military), while Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu was awarded the Hilal-e-Jurat for his exemplary courage and determination.

General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, was also awarded the Nishan-e-Imtiaz (Military) for his strategic leadership and dedicated services.

Several senior political leaders were also honoured at the ceremony for their distinguished public services. Former Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah, Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar were awarded the Nishan-e-Imtiaz. Similarly, Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari was also conferred with the same prestigious award for his services in national politics and democratic development.