Former Pakistan cricket captain Shahid Afridi was honoured with the prestigious Hilal-e-Imtiaz award by President Asif Ali Zardari in recognition of his outstanding contributions to cricket.
The award ceremony was held at the President’s House, where Afridi was acknowledged for his achievements as one of Pakistan’s most celebrated cricketers and for his services to the sport over the years.
Widely known for his aggressive batting style and match-winning performances, Afridi represented Pakistan in all formats of international cricket and captained the national team during his career. He remains one of the most popular figures in Pakistan cricket history.
The Hilal-e-Imtiaz is one of Pakistan’s highest civilian awards and is presented to individuals for excellence and exceptional service in their respective fields.
Fans and members of the cricket community congratulated Afridi on receiving the honour, calling it a well-deserved recognition of his contribution to Pakistan cricket.
A ceremony was held at the Presidential House to confer awards in recognition of outstanding performance in various fields. President Asif Ali Zardari presented the awards to several distinguished personalities.
Federal Minister for Energy Sector Reforms Owais Leghari was awarded the Hilal-e-Imtiaz. Adviser on Privatisation Muhammad Ali also received the Hilal-e-Imtiaz for his initiatives in the energy sector and his contributions to public service.
Cricketer Shahid Afridi was awarded the Hilal-e-Imtiaz for his outstanding services in the field of sports, while mountaineer Shahroz Kashif received the Hilal-e-Imtiaz award on behalf of his mother.
Bahraini diplomat Muhammad Ibrahim Muhammad Abdul Qadir was awarded the Sitara-i-Pakistan.
The late Nawabzada Nasrullah Khan was posthumously awarded the Nishan-e-Imtiaz for his services to democracy. Atta-ul-Haq Qasmi received the Nishan-e-Imtiaz for his outstanding contributions to literature, while Asghar Nadeem Syed was awarded the Hilal-e-Imtiaz for his services to literature and public service.
In recognition of his extraordinary bravery, Sepoy Azhar Mahmood was awarded the Hilal-e-Shujaat, while Sepoy Shah Wali Khan, who sacrificed his life in defence of the country, was also posthumously awarded the Hilal-e-Shujaat.
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