The 83rd Pakistan Day was celebrated with national enthusiasm on Thursday in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa where people vowed to work tirelessly for the progress, development and prosperity of the motherland.

The main function of the day was held at Governor House where Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Haji Ghulam Ali on behalf of the President of Pakistan conferred presidential civil awards to 11 personalities for their meritorious services in their respective fields.

Caretaker Chief Minister Muhammad Azam Khan, caretaker provincial ministers, Chief Secretary Nadeem Aslam Chaudhry, Inspector General of Police Akhtar Hayat Gandapur, the administrative heads of various departments and relatives of the recipients of the presidential awards attended the ceremony.

Dr Qibla Ayaz was awarded with Satara Imtiaz for his great services in research in the field of Islamic studies, Bushra Farrukh for performing arts including drama and acting, Gul Zari Wagmah for music and singing, Masoudjan for blind cricket sports, Abdulaziz Khan Tabasim for films directions.

Moreover, Naseebullah Khan was awarded for bravery, Zainullah for Chitrali Sitar music and singing, Farhaj Sikandar Yar Khan and Dr Faridullah Khan for public services and Suraj Narayan allies Narayan Lal for literature.

Similarly, slain journalist Muhammad Musa Khankhel was awarded the President's Medal of distinction posthumously for extraordinary services in the field of journalism. His medal was received by his brother Isa Khankhel.

Meanwhile debate competitions and art exhibitions were also held in different districts highlighting importance of the day. TV channels, Radios stations and newspapers also aired and published special programs signifying importance of Pakistan Day.

Distinguished figures get Pakistan Day awards in Balochistan

Balochistan Governor Malik Abdul Wali Kakar on Thursday conferred Presidential and Excellence Awards on several personalities for their outstanding performance and best services on the occasion of Pakistan Day.

A simple but dignified ceremony for the distribution of Presidential and Excellence Awards was held at Governor House Quetta.

Amanullah Khan Nasir, Professor Ubaidullah Darwish, and Dr Muhammad Ashraf Shaheen Qaisrani were honored with Presidential Excellence Award.

Martyrs of Journalism Irshad Ahmad Mastoi and Ashraf Zehri were posthumously awarded the Medal of Distinction.

Later, the governor Balochistan gave provincial excellence awards to 24 personalities including Sadiq Ali, Sharaf Shaad, Dr Nasreen Gul, Asmat Durrani, Abdul Bari Asir, Rahmat Bibi alias Arzu Ziaratwala, Abdul Hayat, Nabi Baksh, Shazia Akram Shahwani, Muhammad Yasin, Rashid Hasrat and Shabana Sultan.

The governor also gave away Provincial Excellence Awards 2021 to Shuaib Ali, Arif Ali, Dr Rahim Bakhsh Mehr, Dr Abdul Rauf Rafiqi, Dar Muhammad Kasi, Dr Abdul Rehman Kakar, Khudaidad, Khurshid Ali Hasan, Dr Abida Baloch, Dawood Shah Tareen, Prof Ahmed Waqas and Prof Arifa Ali.

On this occasion, the provincial ministers, members of the provincial assembly, senior government officials and people belonging to different fields participated in the ceremony for national honors.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 24^th, 2023.