Sajal Ali and Adnan Siddiqui, along with several other celebrities, were honored with civil awards

Among the recipients was acclaimed Pakistani actress Sajal Ali, who was bestowed with the esteemed Tamgha-e-Imtiaz (Medal of Excellence) in acknowledgment of her exceptional talent in acting, particularly her noteworthy performances internationally.

The prestigious award was presented to Sajal during a ceremony held in Lahore, where Punjab Governor Balighur Rehman conferred the honor on behalf of President Asif Ali Zardari.

On the occasion of Pakistan Day, President Asif Ali Zardari conferred the country's second major civil award, Hilal Imtiaz, on prominent musician Ustad Rahat Fateh Ali Khan in the President's House.

Ustad Rahat Fateh Ali Khan was honored for his valuable services to the Pakistani and South Asian music industry, particularly in the fields of art, qawwali and singing. His efforts to bring Pakistani arts to a global platform through captivating live performances of Qawwali and modern music have been recognized and appreciated.

Rahat Fateh Ali Khan expressed his gratitude for his honour, saying: "It is with deep gratitude that I accept the Hilal Imtiaz and Sitara Imtiaz awards from the Honorable President. "My dear family, friends and devoted fans whose unwavering support Support has been my guide in this extraordinary journey. "Together, we stand in humble reverence, encouraged to continue our pursuit of excellence.

Rahat Fateh Ali Khan was awarded Satara Imtiaz in 2018 and now Hilal Imtiaz in 2024. He vowed to continue his efforts to showcase the softer side of Pakistan to the global audience. Acknowledging these honors as the highest civilian honours, he expressed his gratitude and acknowledged that it was his duty to carry on the legacy of his uncle and teacher, Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, through modern interpretations of Qawwali. Rahat Fateh Ali Khan thanked his fans across the nation and the world for their unwavering support.

Meanwhile, veteran actor and host Adnan Siddiqui was honored with the Presidential Pride of Performance Award. This prestigious award recognizes individuals for outstanding achievements in various fields including art, science, literature, sports and nursing.

Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori conferred the award on Siddiqui on President Zardari's behalf in a ceremony held at Governor Hous Karachi.

Filmmaker Bilal Lashari, acclaimed for his work on the film "The Legend of Mullah Jat", received the Satara Imtiaz (Star of Excellence), Pakistan's third highest civilian award and honour.