National hero Noman Ali conferred Sitara-i-Jurat on Independence Day

ISLAMABAD (92 News) – President Dr Arif Alvi conferred military honour upon two brave sons of the soil, Wing Commander Noman Ali and Squadron Leader Hasan Mehmood for downing an Indian jet in February. It is pertinent to mention here that President Dr Arif Alvi has approved to confer Pakistan civil awards on 116 individuals from Pakistan as well as some foreign nationals in recognition of their excellence and courage in their respective fields. According to the Inter-Service Public Realtion (ISPR), the president has announced Sitara-i-Jurat for one, Tamgha-i-Jurat for two, Sitara-i-Bisalat for eight, Tamgha-i-Bisalat for 88 and certificates for 94 forces' personnel. Wing Commander Noman Ali was conferred Sitara-i-Jurat and Sq Leader Hasan Mehmood Siddiqui was awarded Tamgha-i-jurat. On February 27, PAF shot down two Indian warplanes in Pakistan's airspace and captured Indian pilot Abhinandan Varthaman who was released on March 1 as a peace gesture. Squadron Leader Siddiqui had been widely named on social media soon after Pakistan’s retaliation to India. Siddiqui, who hails from Karachi, received a hero’s welcome as soon as his plane touched down. On the occasion of Independence Day, President Arif Alvi approved to confer ‘Pakistan Civil Awards’ on 116 individuals from Pakistan as well as foreign nationals for showing excellence and courage in their respective fields. The ceremony to laurel these awards will take place on Pakistan Day, March 23, 2020, according to a press release issued by Cabinet Secretariat. The president approved conferment of Hilal-i-Pakistan award on Song Tao and Zhong Shan of China, Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan of UAE and Sheila Jackson Lee of USA in recognition of their services to Pakistan. As a recognition of his bravery, Dr Alvi consented conferment of Hilal-i-Shuja’at award on Dr Abdul Qudous Saikh Shaheed from Sindh. While Hilal-i-Imtiaz will be awarded to four, Hilal-i-Quaid-e-Azam to one, Sitara-e-Pakistan to three, Sitara-e-Shuja’at to six, Sitara-e-Imtiaz to 24. Alvi also accorded approval to confer President’s Award for Pride of Performance to 26, Sitara-i-Quaid-i-Azam to eight, Tamgha-i-Shuja’at to 11, Tamgha-i-Imtiaz to 27, and Tamgha-i-Khidmat to one.