🇵🇰 Pakistan to Honour 263 Heroes on March 23!

Samina Peerzada, Zehra Nigah, Shahid Afridi & more among civil award recipients ✨

The Government of Pakistan has officially announced the list of 263 individuals who will receive civil awards on Pakistan Day, March 23, 2026, in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the nation. The announcement, made on August 15, 2025, highlights achievers from the fields of arts, literature, sports, research, and culture.

The awards will be distributed by the President of Pakistan during a grand ceremony at the Aiwan-e-Sadr (President House), Islamabad, on March 23, 2026.

📌 Civil Awards 2026 – Categories & Distribution

The civil awards include Pakistan’s most prestigious honours: Nishan-i-Imtiaz, Hilal-i-Imtiaz, Sitara-i-Imtiaz, Tamgha-i-Imtiaz, and the President’s Pride of Performance. This year’s breakdown includes:

• Arts: 22 awardees

• Literature: 20 awardees

• Sports: 10 awardees

• Other fields (science, culture, service, research, etc.): Remaining awards

🌟 Prominent Names on the List

🎭 Arts & Entertainment

The world of Pakistani arts will see recognition of several legendary figures:

• Samina Peerzada – honoured for her decades-long work in acting, anchoring, and direction.

• Fazila Kaiser Qazi and Azra Aftab – celebrated for their acting careers.

• Savera Abbas (Savera Nadeem) – recognised for acting.

• Salima Hashmi – awarded for her contributions as a painter, curator, and art historian.

• Hadiqa Kiani – the renowned singer honoured for her exceptional music career.

• Irfan Ali Khoosat – acknowledged for his unmatched contribution to performing arts.

• Humera Arshad and Saira Naseem – recognised for their roles in singing and anchoring.

• Irfan Ahson – acclaimed for his excellence in photography.

The Pride of Performance and Tamgha-i-Imtiaz categories also honour many posthumous contributions, including Khawaja Ali Kazim (Naat Khawani) and Noor Muhammad Baloch (Nooral) for singing.

📚 Literature

Pakistan’s literary giants are once again in the spotlight, with many respected poets and writers on the honours list:

• Mustansar Hussain Tarar – receiving the Nishan-i-Imtiaz for his unmatched literary legacy.

• Atta ul Haq Qasmi and Irfan ul Haq Siddiqui – honoured for their poetry and writing.

• Asghar Nadeem Syed – awarded the Hilal-i-Imtiaz.

• Zehra Nigah – one of Pakistan’s most beloved poets, recognised for her lifelong contributions.

• Dr Abdul Rauf Rafiqui, Murtaza Barlas, Naseer Ahmad Nasir, Yasmeen Hameed – awarded for their research, poetry, and critique.

• Dr Nasir Abbass Nayyer and Dr Ghulam Moeenuddin (Moeen Nizami) – recognised for their academic research and literary writings.

Several posthumous awards will also be presented to great names such as Prof Karrar Hussain, Syed Masood Hassan Shihab Dehlvi, and Ahmad Khan Tariq, ensuring their legacies live on.

🏆 Sports

Pakistan’s sports heroes, past and present, are being acknowledged for their achievements on the field:

• Shahid Khan Afridi – receiving the Hilal-i-Imtiaz for his legendary cricket career and social impact.

• Sana Mir – former captain of Pakistan women’s cricket, awarded the Sitara-i-Imtiaz.

• Shehroze Kashif – the young mountaineer who has made Pakistan proud globally, honoured with the Hilal-i-Imtiaz.

• Haider Ali – discus thrower, recognized for his achievements.

• Shahzaib Rind – acknowledged in Karate Combat.

• Muhammad Sajjad (Gujjar) – honoured for his contributions to Kabaddi.

• Muhammad Hamza Khan – Pakistan’s squash prodigy, awarded the Tamgha-i-Imtiaz.

• Rashid Malik – honoured for his role in promoting tennis.

Even posthumously, the country honours its athletes, such as Malik Muhammad Atta for equestrian sports.

✨ Why These Awards Matter

Civil awards are Pakistan’s highest civilian honours, aimed at celebrating individuals who have dedicated their lives to art, literature, sports, education, science, and public service. These awards are not only a symbol of recognition but also an inspiration for the younger generation to continue striving for excellence.

This year’s list reflects the diversity of Pakistan’s talent — from veteran actors and celebrated poets to emerging sports champions and cultural icons.

📅 Ceremony Details

The awards will be formally conferred by the President of Pakistan on March 23, 2026, during the annual Pakistan Day celebrations at the President House in Islamabad.