Pakistan confers highest civilian award on Saudi defense minister
Prince Khalid bin Salman was guest of honor at Pakistan Day military parade
Pakistan on Saturday conferred on Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman the country’s highest civilian award, the Nishan-e-Pakistan.
The prince was the guest of honor at the Pakistan Day military parade in Islamabad on Saturday. After the parade, President Asif Ali Zardari awarded the Nishane-Pakistan to Prince Khalid in a ceremony held at the Presidential Palace.
The Nishan-e-Pakistan is given to individuals who have rendered “services of the highest distinction to the national interest of Pakistan.”
The award ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, along with federal ministers, top military leaders, and members of the diplomatic corps.
The Associated Press of Pakistan reported: “The award was conferred in recognition of Prince Khalid’s meritorious services for Pakistan and its people, enhancing defense cooperation, strengthening bilateral ties, and contributions towards peace efforts in the region.”
Tanks, armored personnel carriers, rocket launchers, air defense systems, guns, UAVs, and short- and long-range missiles including Ra’ad, Nasr, Babur, Shaheen, Ghauri, and Ababeel, were all showcased at the parade. “Formations of Sherdils, JF-17 Thunder, and F-16 fighter jets presented breathtaking aerobatic maneuvers, spreading a range of colors in the skies,” Radio Pakistan reported.
‘The award was conferred in recognition of Prince Khalid’s meritorious services for Pakistan and its people, enhancing defense cooperation, strengthening bilateral ties, and contributions towards peace efforts in the region.’