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Each year on the 14th of August, Pakistan's independence day, the federal government announces civil awards for distinguished Pakistanis in recognition of their outstanding services and achievements in their respective fields. This year Aisam made that list and was chosen for the 'Sitar-I-Imtiaz' or the Star of Excellence. It is the third highest civilian award given by the Pakistan government. He was previously conferred with the President's Award for Pride of Performance on 14th August 2004.
INTERNATIONAL AWARDS
In 2002 he became the first Pakistani to receive “The Arthur Ashe Humanitarian Award” from ATP Tour USA. This award is given each year to one or two persons in the world who have rendered outstanding services toward the cause of humanitarian service, sportsmanship of the highest order and/or contributed to world peace and understanding. The list of recipients includes such great names as Nelson Mandela of South Africa. In 2009 Peace and Sport Forum of Moncao declared him a “Champion for Peace” and are carrying out a peace campaign with him.
ACCOMPLISHED CAREER
Already in his junior career between 1996 to 1998 he showed great promise. He reached the level of Asian No. 1 and World No. 7 as a junior tennis player and beat several top ranking world juniors of his time such as Andy Roddick and Taylor Dent of America, European Champion Oliver Rochus of Belgium, Russian Champion Artem Derepasko and South America Champion Flavio Saretta.
After starting his men's career in 1998 Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi continued to represent Pakistan not only as the No. 1 player in Davis Cup competitions but also in singles events all over the world.
In 1998 he was awarded “Roll of Honour” and also presented a gold medal by GC University Lahore and Punjab University Lahore.
During the period of 1998 and 2004 he won 33 Singles and Doubles titles and ended up runner up on 20 occasions in international tournaments in.
In 2001 he was the first Pakistani to qualify for the Wimbledon Grand Slam Tennis Championship after a gap of 34 years.
Four years later at Islamic Solidarity Games in Saudi Arabia he was a triple gold-medalist for Pakistan. In the same year he earned another great laurel for Pakistan when he won all his matches against Taiwan and Thailand in Davis Cup ties and lifted Pakistan to World Group Qualifying for the first time.
On international circuit he has raised his singles and doubles titles number to 60.
Aisam is also Pakistans most accomplished player at the Davis Cup, with 46 wins to his credit.
