ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari has approved the Hilal-e-Imtiaz, a prestigious civil award, for Umar Farooq, an overseas Pakistani who exposed the sale of a Toshakhana watch by former Prime Minister Imran Khan.
The president has sanctioned a total of 104 civil awards for Pakistani and foreign nationals in recognition of their contributions to Pakistan. The announcement was made on the eve of Independence Day.
Moreover, the awards will be presented in a ceremony scheduled for March 23, 2025, and will honor achievements in various fields including science, engineering, education, medicine, arts, literature, sports, social services, humanitarian work, business, public service, bravery, and overall contributions.
Umar Farooq will receive the Hilal-e-Imtiaz for revealing discrepancies in the handling of gifts from foreign countries, including the Toshakhana watch case involving Imran Khan.
Following Farooq’s revelations, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) initiated a corruption case against Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi.
Earlier, on January 31, 2024, an Islamabad accountability court sentenced them to 14 years in prison and imposed a fine of Rs787 million each. The Islamabad High Court later suspended the sentences in April.
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