In a remarkable display of recognition and appreciation, the President of Pakistan, on Monday, announced a list of 694 individuals from both Pakistan and foreign nations who will be conferred civil awards for their exceptional contributions across various domains.
The awards will be presented on Pakistan Day on March 23, 2024.
Celebrating Excellence in Entertainment
Honorees spanning diverse fields and walks of life are honored in the civil awards passed on each year. These individuals have not only enthralled audiences with their talent and charisma but have also made significant contributions to society through their work, making them deserving recipients of these prestigious awards.
Who’s Getting What?
The realm of music will see the maestro Rahat Fateh Ali Khan being bestowed with the “Hilal-e-Imtiaz,” recognizing his profound impact on Sufi and classical music. Sarmad Khoosat and Bilal Lashari, both renowned filmmakers who have elevated Pakistani cinema to international heights, will receive the “Sitara-e-Imtiaz.”
Among the other entertainment stars slated to be honored are Adnan Siddiqui, an actor whose powerful performances have left an indelible mark on the industry, earning him the esteemed title of “Pride of Performance.” Sajal Aly, celebrated for her versatile acting prowess, will be awarded the “Tamgha-e-Imtiaz,” an accolade that underlines her contribution to the art of storytelling.
The list of honorees continues, with names like Sheema Karmani, Shazia Manzoor, Ajab Gul, Fizza Ali Meerza, and Khalid Bin Shaheen being recognized for their contributions with titles such as “Pride of Performance” and “Tamgha-e-Imtiaz.”
The full list of awards conferred to celebrities is mentioned below:
Hilal-i-Imtiaz
Rahat Ali Khan Arts — (Qawwali/ Singing)
Mohammad Ahmed Shah — Arts (Culture)
Mehmood Ahmed Tahir Bhatti — Film Direction & Fashion Designing
Mr. Muhammad Anwar Masood Literature (Poetry)
Sitara-i-Imtiaz
Sarmad Khoosat (Filmmaker and director)
Mr. Bilal Lashari (Direction, Cinematography, Script writing)
Duraid Qureshi (Public Service)
Mr. Satish Anand (Film Production/ Distribution)
Mr. Javed Bashir Ahmad (Singing)
Mr. Faakhir Mehmood (Singing)
Ms. Shabnam (Singing)
President’s Award for Pride of Performance
Mr. Gulab Khel (Rubab playing)
Ms. Shazia Manzoor (Singing)
Ms. Dhai Bai alias Mai Dhai (Singing)
Mr. Hamayoon Khan (Singing)
Mr. Inayat Hussain Bhatti (late) (Film Acting, Production, Direction, Script Writing)
Mr. Zulfiqar Ali Attre (Music Composing)
Mr. Ajab Gul Arts (Acting / Direction)
Mr. Ishrat Abass (Drama/Theater/ Radio/
Actor)
Mr. Shakir Zeb (Music Direction)
Mr. Qadir Bux Mithoo (Comedy)
Mr. Mehboob Ali (Artist & Designer, Woodcut
Print Specialist)
Ms. Mussarrat Kalanchvi (Urdu / Saraiki Fiction & Play Writing)
Mr. Adnan Siddiqui (Acting, Host, Production)
Ms. Zubaida (Naghma) (Film Artist)
Mr. Hassan Askari (Film Direction /Writing)
Ms. Sheema Karmani (Classical Dancing/ Choreography)
Mr. Naseer Baig Mirza (Comparing, Writing, Producer)
Mr. Ajab Khan (Calligraphy & Painting)
Mr. Baqir Abbas (Flute playing)
Tamgha-i-Imtiaz
Mr. Muhammad Shahbaz Qamar (Naat Khawani)
Ms. Sajal Ali (Acting)
Syeda Mehrbano Kazim (Alias Juggan Kazim) (Anchoring /Acting)
Mr. Abdul Batin Farooqi (Acting)
Mr. Almas Khan Khalil (Folk Pashto Singing)
Mr. Fazal Wahab Dard (Singing)
Ustad Rustam Fateh Ali Khan (Classical Singing)
Mr. Imran Aziz Mian (Qawwali)
Dr. Khalid Bin Shaheen Acting / Production
Mr. Shahzad Rafique (Film Direction)
Ms. Fizza Ali Meerza (Production / Screen Writing)
Mr. Amjad Sheikh (Film Production/ Distribution)
Mr. Abdul Wasay Chaudhary (Film/Drama Acting)
Mr. Farooq Hassan (Host)
Diversity of Talent
This ensemble of awardees showcases the diversity and richness of Pakistani talent. From the captivating performances on screen to the soul-stirring melodies that resonate far beyond borders, these individuals have touched hearts, bridged divides, and united people through the power of art.
As the investiture ceremony approaches, it is important to acknowledge the impact of civil awards not only on the recipients but on the larger societal narrative. Civil awards serve as an inspiration for aspiring artists, encouraging them to reach for the stars while upholding the values of creativity, dedication, and social responsibility towards the country.
