President Asif Ali Zardari on Monday conferred prestigious military awards on 44 officers of the armed forces in recognition of their outstanding services for the defense of the country.

The Presidential Investiture ceremony, attended by Senate Chairman Yousaf Raza Gilani, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif, took place at the Presidency in Islamabad in connection with Pakistan Day. Also among the attendees were ministers, senior officers of Pakistan armed forces, government officials, and families of the recipients of the awards.

Among the recipients, Captain Syed Aamir Raza was awarded the Sitara-e-Basalat for his exceptional bravery and service.

The Hilal-e-Imtiaz (Military) was conferred upon several senior officers in acknowledgment of their meritorious contributions. The honorees include:

Air Marshal Muhammad Sarfaraz
Air Marshal Kazim Hammad
Air Marshal Shakeel Ghazanfar
Air Marshal Shakeel Safdar
Major General Saeed-ur-Rehman Sarwar
Major General Nadeem Fazal
Major General Tahir Masood Ahmed
Major General Sohail Sabir
Major General Fawad Ahmad Siddiqui
Major General Zeeshan Ahmed
Major General Sohail Ilyas
Major General Syed Mukarram Hussain
Major General Iftikhar Ahmad Satti
Rear Admiral Muhammad Hussain Sial

The awards were given in recognition of their exemplary leadership, commitment, and contributions to national defense and security.