KARACHI, March 23: Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad conferred national awards on 22 people for their outstanding achievements in their respective fields on behalf of President Asif Ali Zardari here on Wednesday in connection with Pakistan Day celebrations at the Governor's House.

The awards that were conferred included Sitara-i-Imtiaz, Presidential Pride of Performance Award and Tamgha-i-Imtiaz.

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah, Deputy Speaker Shehla Raza, provincial ministers, advisers, senior army officials and close relatives of the recipients of the awards were present on the occasion.

The governor awarded Sitara-i-Imtiaz to six people, Pride of Performance to seven people and Tamgha-i-Imtiaz to nine people.

Recipients of Sitara-i-Imtiaz were Ustad Umair Ali Khan (classical music), Ustad Fateh Ali Khan (classical music), Sirajul Haq (literature and journalism), Prof (Dr) Mohammed Ali Siddiqui (education and literature), and the late Khalid Shamsul Hasan (services to Pakistan) and the late Prof (Dr) Ata Mohammad Hami (services to Pakistan).

Presidential Pride of Performance Awards were given to Mohammed Afzal Arain (agriculture), Syed Hamid Qasim Jalali (art and drama), S.B. John (singer), the late Prof Abdul Rahim Nagori (artist/painter), the late Zafar Ali Kazmi (sculpture/art), Ms Goshpi Byram Avari (rowing), and Ms Naseem Hameed (athletics).

Tamgha-i-Imtiaz was conferred on Prof (Dr) M. Shahiq Ali (science) Prof (Dr) Asghari Bano (science), Prof Salahuddin Afsar (medicine education), Ghulam Mohiuddin (actor), Syed Mazhar Jamil (Syed Mazharul Haq) (literature), Prof (Dr) Adal Soomro (literature), Altaf Shaikh (literature), Ghulam Nabi Memon (public service)and Mohammed Rafique (public service).—APP