Field Marshal Asim Munir, Bilalwal Bhutto among others conferred national awards 

Islamabad (Web Desk): In a dignified ceremony held at the President House, national awards were conferred upon distinguished civil and military figures in recognition of their exceptional service to the country.

Among the awardees was Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Asim Munir, who received the Hilal-e-Jurat from President Asif Ali Zardari.

The honour acknowledged his leadership of the armed forces during a particularly turbulent and testing period for the nation.

The ceremony followed a recent flare-up between Pakistan and India, which saw a serious escalation in hostilities.

Tensions surged after India carried out cross-border strikes inside Pakistani territory, citing alleged terrorist links to the Pahalgam attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
Pakistan responded decisively with a military operation named Bunyan-um-Marsoos, during which the Pakistan Air Force successfully shot down six Indian fighter jets, including three state-of-the-art Rafale aircraft, in retaliation to what it described as unprovoked aggression by New Delhi.

As part of the national recognition, Chief of Air Staff Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu was also awarded the Hilal-e-Jurat for his leadership and strategic command during the aerial conflict.

These military accolades highlighted the armed forces' preparedness and swift action during one of the most tense standoffs in the region in recent years.

Following the military response, Pakistan ramped up its diplomatic engagement with the international community to present its perspective and counter the narrative pushed by India.

A high-level delegation led by Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman and former Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari was dispatched to key Western capitals including Washington, London, and several European cities.

The delegation’s aim was to articulate Pakistan’s stance and garner diplomatic support amid the rapidly unfolding regional crisis.

The delegation included several seasoned diplomats and politicians: Hina Rabbani Khar, Sherry Rehman, Dr. Musadik Malik, Khurram Dastgir Khan, Jalil Abbas Jilani, Tehmina Janjua, Bushra Anjum Butt, and Syed Faisal Subzwari.

During their tour, they held strategic meetings with senior international officials and institutions, making a concerted effort to reinforce Pakistan’s position on the global stage and challenge the Indian narrative.
For his leadership in spearheading this diplomatic initiative, Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari was honoured with the prestigious Nishan-e-Imtiaz during the same ceremony, reflecting the government’s appreciation of both military and civilian contributions during a time of national challenge.