Samina Peerzada, Hadiqa Kiani, Fazila Qazi Among 263 Personalities Announced for Civil Awards

On the occasion of Pakistan’s Independence Day, President Asif Ali Zardari has approved the announcement of civil awards for 263 national and international personalities. These awards recognize outstanding contributions in arts, literature, sports, education, science, journalism, and social services. The official ceremony will take place on March 23, 2026, at Aiwan-e-Sadr.

Among the award winners are many well-known names from the entertainment industry. Senior actress Samina Peerzada, singer Hadiqa Kiani, and actress Fazila Qazi are set to receive the Sitara-e-Imtiaz for their services in arts and culture. Other artists like Irfan Khoosat, Azra Aftab, Humaira Arshad, and Salima Hashmi are also on the list.

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The government also recognized contributions in literature. Famous writers and poets including Ata-ul-Haq Qasmi, Mustansar Hussain Tarar, and Irfan Siddiqui will be awarded for their exceptional work. Similarly, Zehra Nigah and Asghar Nadeem Syed will receive the Hilal-e-Imtiaz.

In the field of sports, former cricket captain Shahid Afridi, mountaineer Shehroze Kashif, and equestrian Malik Muhammad Ata (late) will be honored with high-ranking awards. Former cricketer Sana Mir and Paralympic athlete Haider Ali will also receive the Sitara-e-Imtiaz.

Journalism has not been forgotten. Renowned journalist Ehtesham-ul-Haq will get the Hilal-e-Imtiaz, while Zia-ul-Haq Sarhadi, Sarmad Ali, and others like Kiran Naz and Adil Abbasi will receive medals for their work in reporting and column writing.

This year’s list shows a wide range of people from different walks of life being honored. The recognition of personalities like Samina Peerzada, Hadiqa Kiani, and Fazila Qazi highlights how the civil awards continue to celebrate not just traditional fields like literature and science, but also arts, entertainment, and media, which shape Pakistan’s cultural identity.

FAQs

1. How many people will receive civil awards in 2026?
A total of 263 personalities from Pakistan and abroad will be honored.

2. Which celebrities are included in the awards list?
Samina Peerzada, Hadiqa Kiani, Fazila Qazi, Irfan Khoosat, and Humaira Arshad are among the recipients.

3. When will the awards ceremony take place?
The ceremony will be held on March 23, 2026, at Aiwan-e-Sadr in Islamabad.

4. Which sports personalities are being awarded?
Shahid Afridi, Shehroze Kashif, Sana Mir, and Haider Ali are among the awardees.

5. Why are civil awards important?
They honor individuals who have made significant contributions to arts, literature, science, journalism, sports, and social services, promoting national pride.