During Pakistan Day celebrations, Babar Azam, the captain of the Pakistan cricket team, was awarded the Sitara-e-Imtiaz, the country’s third-highest civilian honor, at an investiture ceremony held at the Punjab Governor House by Governor Baligh Ur Rehman. Babar, at the age of 28, has become the youngest cricketer to receive the Sitara-e-Imtiaz, acknowledging his exceptional accomplishments in the realm of sports.
President Dr. Arif Alvi awarded civil honors to 135 individuals, including Pakistani citizens and foreign nationals, for their exceptional achievements and bravery in their respective domains. The awards were conferred at a ceremony held at Aiwan-e-Sadr, attended by cabinet members, diplomats, and the recipients’ family members.
The President presented the awards in ten categories, including Nishan-i-Imtiaz, Tamgha-i-Imtiaz, Hilal-i-Imtiaz, Hilal-i-Quaid-Azam, Sitara-i-Shujaat, Sitara-i-Imtiaz, Presidential Award for Pride of Performance, Tamgha-i-Shujaata, and Tamgha-i-Khidmat. From the sports domain, Bisma Maroof received the Tamgha-i-Imtiaz.
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Babar deemed it an “immense honour” to receive the award in the presence of his parents. “This award is for my parents, fans and the people of Pakistan,” he tweeted and shared a picture with them.
Immense honour to have received Sitara-e-Imtiaz in the presence of my mother and father.
This award is for my parents, fans and the people of pic.twitter.com/Gafwlu3rUC
— Babar Azam (@babarazam258) March 23, 2023
Throughout the day, congratulatory messages poured in for Babar, check them out below.
Congratulations Babar Azam upon becoming the youngest cricketer to receive Sitara-e-Imtiaz. A very well-deserved recognition indeed. Bohat Bohat Mubarak @babarazam258! Keep shining #PakistanZindabad pic.twitter.com/dFGIYbCMlw
— Faisal Javed Khan (@FaisalJavedKhan) March 23, 2023
Congratulations to Bismah Maroof and Babar Azam, 2 fierce leaders who undoubtedly will be recognized as greats of Pakistan cricket
— eman (@exharrie) March 23, 2023
You smile like that when your desi parents are proud of you
Congratulations @babarazam258 and family this is so well-deserved #BabarAzam pic.twitter.com/gUwkb15dLS
— Sudrish Khan (@SudrishK) March 23, 2023
Congratulations to Sitar e Imtiaz for getting Babar Azam ❤️ pic.twitter.com/bBksIowAGJ
— Rewri Pehalwaan (@RewriPehalwaan) March 23, 2023
Babar Azam standing with the batsmen better than him. pic.twitter.com/vsA4uzemWW
— Daud (@CleanBowled562) March 23, 2023
