Latest news with #Sitara-e-Jurat
Time of India
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
'Ultimate flex': 'Self-awarded medal' by Pakistan army chief stuns people; netizens troll Asim Munir
In a move that has drawn widespread ridicule, Pakistan army chief gen Asim Munir reportedly awarded himself the Hilal-e-Jurat, the country's second-highest military honour, following the Pakistan army's crushing defeat during Operation Sindoor . The awards were part of Pakistan's Independence Day honours on Thursday, conferred by President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Dozens of military and civilian officials received accolades for their roles in the four-day conflict with India. Among others, air chief Zaheer Ahmad Babar Sidhu also received the Hilal-e-Jurat, naval chief Admiral Naveed Ashraf the Nishan-e-Imtiaz, and several fighter pilots the Sitara-e-Jurat. Civilian leaders, including Deputy PM Ishaq Dar, defence minister Khawaja Asif, and former foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, were also honoured. Munir's self-award sparks social media frenzy The revelation of Munir's self-conferred medal has triggered a torrent of memes, jokes, and criticism online. Social media users questioned the Army Chief's credibility, mocked the military's performance, and unleashed sharp humor. One of the user said, 'Wow, Asim Munir's self-awarded Hilal-e-Jurat is the ultimate flex! Who needs validation from others when you can just give it to yourself?' 'Not sure what's more impressive, the fact he awarded himself or that he found a mirror in the midst of a losing battle,' another user quipped. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villas For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You Villas In Dubai | Search Ads Get Rates Undo While another internet user said, 'Asim Munir's Hilal-e-Jurat is like a participation trophy for showing up to the war and losing spectacularly!' 'What's next? A PhD in 'How to Get Crushed by the Indian Army'?' questioned another. 'The Pakistani Army's version of a 'Get Out of Jail Free' card,' another user said. The May conflict, triggered by Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeted terror infrastructure in Pakistan and PoK after the Pahalgam attack that killed 26 civilians. Pakistan retaliated over three days before a ceasefire was reached.
Business Recorder
2 days ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Top civil, military leaders honoured
ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari on Thursday honoured leading political figures, senior military officers, and diplomats with Pakistan's highest civil and military awards in a prestigious ceremony at the Presidency. The awards recognized outstanding contributions to national service, defense, and diplomacy, with recipients spanning the government, armed forces, and diplomatic corps. Several senior political leaders were conferred the Nishan-e-Imtiaz, one of Pakistan's highest civilian honours. Recipients included Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Federal Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Information Minister Atta Tarar, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, and Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari. Pakistan's military leadership was also decorated for their services. Field Marshal Asim Munir and Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu received the Hilal-e-Jurat, while Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Sahir Shamshad Mirza and Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf were awarded the Nishan-e-Imtiaz (Military). Vice Admiral Raja Rab Nawaz, Rear Admiral Abdul Muneeb, and Rear Admiral Faisal Amin were also honoured with awards. Air Vice Marshal Muhammad Ehsanul Haq received honours for his service. ISI Director General Lt Gen Muhammad Asim Malik was also honoured with the Sitara-e-Basalat for his exceptional contributions, as was ISPR DG Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry with the prestigious Hilal-e-Imtiaz (Military). Military Operations DG Maj Gen Kashif Abdullah was also felicitated with an honour. Members of the diplomatic delegation formed by the prime minister were presented the Hilal-e-Imtiaz for their contributions to foreign relations. These recipients included Tariq Fatemi, Senator Bushra Anjum, Senator Sherry Rehman, Senator Faisal Sabzwari, Hina Rabbani Khar, Khurram Dastgir Khan, Jalil Abbas Jilani, federal minister Ahad Cheema, and Attorney General for Pakistan Mansoor Usman Awan. Several Pakistan Air Force officers received gallantry awards. Wing Commander Bilal Raza, Wing Commander Hammad Ibne Masood, Squadron Leaders Muhammad Yousuf Khan, Muhammad Osama Ashfaq, Muhammad Hassan Anis, and Talal Hassan were awarded the Sitara-e-Jurat. Squadron Leaders Fida Muhammad Khan and Muhammad Ashab were presented the Sitara-e-Jurat, while Lance Havaldar Aamir Sheraz and Lance Naik Ikramullah were posthumously honoured with the Tamgha-e-Jurat. Sepoy Adeel Akbar has been posthumously awarded the Tamgha-e-Jurat, Captain Ali Hassan was also awarded the Tamgha-e-Jurat, Sepoy Nisar Ali Shaheed was posthumously awarded the Sitara-e-Basalat. Lt Gen Noman Zakaria, Lt Gen Syed Aamir Raza, Lt Gen Shahid Imtiaz. Moreover, Lt Gen Muhammad Saeed (retd) was awarded the Hilal-e-Imtiaz (Military). Other awardees included Prime Minister's Speechwriter Rashid Mahmood Malik was awarded the Sitara-e-Imtiaz, as were Rescue 1122 Punjab DG Dr Rizwan Nazir, Sheikhupura Deputy Commissioner Shahid Imran Marth, Sheikhupura District Police Officer (DPO) Bilal Zafar Sheikh, Neelam Deputy Commissioner Nadeem Janjua, Bahawalpur DPO Hassan Iqbal, Bahawalpur Regional Police Officer (RPO) Rai Babar Saeed, Bahawalpur Deputy Commissioner Dr Farhan Farooq, Poonch Commissioner Masoodur Rehman, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister Imtiaz Gora, and Punjab Home Secretary Capt Noorul Amin. Principal Information Officer Mubashir Hassan Information and Broadcasting Secretary Ambreen Jan and Foreign Secretary Amina Baloch were also awarded the Tamgha-e-Imtiaz.
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
PAF heroes who downed Rafales, destroyed S-400 honoured on Independence Day
For the first time since their daring missions in May's conflict with India, the Pakistan Air Force pilots who downed six Indian fighter jets — including state-of-the-art Rafales — and obliterated the Russian-made S-400 air defence system stepped into the public eye on Thursday. The long-awaited appearance of these national heroes came as President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif decorated them with top gallantry awards during an Independence Day ceremony at Aiwan-e-Sadr. Prime Minister Sharif paid special tribute to Wing Commander Malik Rizwanul Haq, who was awarded the Tamgha-e-Basalat for destroying the S-400 system during Operation Bunyanum Marsoos. Shehbaz Sharif personally conferred the medal, inviting the pilot to stand beside him before the audience. 'He destroyed the S-400 system,' the prime minister told the gathering, prompting applause and loud cheers. Pakistan Air Force Shaheens who downed Indian Rafale jets & laid to waste the S-400 systems, and with them all nefarious plans of the enemy were awarded with Sitara-e-Jurat by the President of Pakistan at an investiture ceremony today. #IndependenceDay #PakistanAirForce — PTV News (@PTVNewsOfficial) August 14, 2025 According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the Sitara-e-Jurat was conferred on Wing Commander Bilal Raza, GD(P), Air Force, Wing Commander Hammad Ibne Masood, GD(P), Air Force, Squadron Leader M Yousaf Khan, GD(P), Air Force, Squadron Leader Muhammad Osama Ishfaq, GD(P), Air Force, Squadron Leader Muhammad Hassan Anees, GD(P), Air Force, Squadron Leader Talal Hassan, GD(P), Air Force, Squadron Leader Fida Muhammad Khan, GD(P), Air Force. Pakistan-India Recent Conflict The latest escalation between Pakistan and India began on April 22, when an attack in Pahalgam killed 26 people. India immediately blamed Pakistan for the incident. However, Pakistan categorically rejected the Indian blame. In response, India undertook a series of hostile actions the next day on April 23, including suspending the 65-year-old Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), cancelling visas for Pakistani citizens, closing the Wagah-Attari border crossing, ordering the shutdown of the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi, and reducing diplomatic staff at each other's embassies. Tensions further escalated in the early hours of May 7, when missile strikes hit six cities in Punjab and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), destroying a mosque and killing dozens of civilians, including women, children, and the elderly. Also Read: French intelligence official confirms downing of Rafale by Pakistan In a swift military response, Pakistan's armed forces shot down Indian warplanes, including three Rafale jets. The confrontation intensified again in the early hours of May 10, when India targeted several Pakistani airbases with missile strikes. In retaliation, Pakistan launched Operation Bunyanum Marsoos, damaging Indian military installations, including missile storage sites, airbases, and other strategic targets. Later, US President Donald Trump announced that a ceasefire had been reached following intense diplomatic efforts overnight. Minutes later, the agreement was confirmed separately by Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and the Indian foreign secretary.
