LAHORE, March 23: Governor Khalid Maqbool, on behalf of the president of Pakistan, conferred civil awards upon 41 distinguished personalities for their outstanding performance in different fields, at an investiture ceremony held at Governor’s House here on Sunday.

Sitara-i-Imtiaz (SI) was conferred upon eight personalities, Tamgha-i- Imtiaz (TI) upon 20 and Presidential Award for Pride of Performance was conferred upon 13 personalities. Chief Secretary Salman Siddique conducted the proceedings attended by Caretaker Chief Minister Justice Ejaz Nisar (retired), provincial ministers, senior civil and military officers and notables of the city.

Speaking on the occasion, the governor said: “Whole the nation is marking Pakistan Day with great reverence and zeal, as on this auspicious day the Muslims of Indo-Pak subcontinent expressed their firm commitment through a resolution to achieve a separate homeland for themselves.”

He said it was an occasion of jubilation on political front as the people's elected governments were in the offing and complete democracy was taking roots in the country because Pakistanis had exercised their franchise right with political sagacity.The governor expressed the hope that new governments would place economic development, national stability and elimination of terrorism on top of their agendas.

“On Pakistan Day, we all should make firm resolve to promote political reconciliation,” Maqbool added.

Prestigious SI was conferred upon materials scientist Dr. Fazal Ahmad Khalid, Virtual University vice-chancellor Dr. Naveed Akhtar Malik, garments exporter Ejaz A. Khokhar, FIA deputy director Azhar Mahmood, vocalists Reshman and Ustad Hamid Ali Khan, film/TV producer Shuaib Mansoor and Commander Feroz Shah (late). The late commander’s son Sajjad Shah received the award.

Presidential Award was conferred upon intellectual Dr Saleem Akhtar, stomach specialist Dr. Muhammad Saeed Khokhar, agricultural scientist Muhammad Arshad, educationist Begum Anees Fatema Majeed, electronics expert Dr. Farhan Saif, musician Mujahid Hussain, Ustad Mehar Ali Khan and Ustad Sher Ali Khan Qawwal, vocalists Shafqat Amanat Ali Khan and Ustad Mubarak Ali Khan, horse-riding expert Shahid Rahman, traditional shoes (Khussa) maker Allah Bukhsh and intellectual Rasheed Malik (late), whose widow Sharifa Aziz received the award.—APP