The Sitara-e-Imtiaz (Urdu: ستارہِ امتیاز, lit.'Star of Excellence') also spelled as Sitara-i-Imtiaz, is the third-highest (in the order of "Imtiaz")[1] honour and civilian award in the State of Pakistan. It recognizes individuals who have made an "especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of Pakistan, world peace, cultural or other significant public endeavours".[2]

Sitara-e-Imtiaz
ستارہِ امتیاز
Obverse Neck Medals for
Left: Sitara-e-Imtiaz (Civilian)
Right: Sitara-e-Imtiaz (Military)
Awarded by the President of Pakistan
TypeAward
Ribbon
Sitara-e-Imtiaz (Civilian)
Sitara-e-Imtiaz (Military)
EligibilityPakistani or Foreign citizen
Awarded forThe highest degree of service to the state, and for services to international diplomacy.
StatusCurrently constituted
SovereignPresident of Pakistan
SovereignPrime minister of Pakistan
Statistics
First induction19 March 1957
Precedence
Next (higher)
Next (lower)


This award is not limited to the citizens of Pakistan, and it can also be awarded to foreign citizens based on their achievements and services done to the State of Pakistan (see Władysław Turowicz). While, it is a civilian award, it can also be awarded to military officers of the Pakistan Defence Forces worn on their uniform for recognition of their services to the country. Like other awards, it is a highly restricted and prestigious award only given to those who have done great services to the country. It is one of the most distinguished civil decorations to the civilians who have made outstanding contribution in their respected fields such as literature, arts, sports, medicine, or science, which prompted the recognition of the country on international level.

It is given to a person who has accomplished duty beyond what is assigned to him/her. To receive this honour, the individuals are expected to show eminence and be outstanding in providing excellent service in a significant field of activity beyond what they are assigned to.

For officers in the military, it is given after distinguished service, and is also the highest medal that can be awarded to those at the rank of Brigadier-General or Major-General in the (Army), Air-Commodores or Air Vice-Marshals in the (Air Force) and Commodore or Rear-Admiral in the (Navy, Coast Guard, and Marines).

The Parliament's Committee for Award and Recognition Services for State of Pakistan, selects the names of individuals and sends final report to the Prime minister of Pakistan. On advice of the Prime minister, the President organizes a colourful ceremony that is telecast and broadcast by the Pakistan Television Corporation. The award is usually given to individuals one by one and not in groups because the whole purpose of the award is to assess the recipient's individual capabilities in par excellence.

The award is a disc of golden Jasminum which stands between two and five points of the star, and is also of pure gold. The star is in the form of a five pointed star, with additional bright coloured Jasminum filling in space between points of the star. In the middle of the star, a well polished green emerald circumference fills the inside of the golden star. A smaller golden star is situated in the middle of the emerald field.

A special grade of the medal/award has larger execution of the same medal design worn as a star on the left chest. In addition, it is worn as a sash on the right shoulder, with its rosette (yellow with white (for civilians) or/ green (for military officers only) with white and yellow edge, bearing the central disc of the medal at its centre, resting on the left hip.

At the formal ceremony, both medals can be worn at the same time depending upon the individual's achievements. The medal is suspended on a ribbon, dark green colour with a light yellow and white central stripe with white edge stripes.

Grades of the Order of Imtiaz

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This award is the 3rd Grade in the Order of Imtiaz (Excellence). The four Grades in the Order of Imtiaz are:

  1. Nishan-e-Imtiaz (Order of Excellence; Urdu: نشانِ امتیاز)
  2. Hilal-e-Imtiaz (Crescent of Excellence; Urdu: ہلالِ امتیاز)
  3. Sitara-e-Imtiaz (Star of Excellence; Urdu: ستارہ امتیاز)
  4. Tamgha-e-Imtiaz (Medal of Excellence; Urdu: تمغہِ امتیاز).[3]


ORDER OF IMTIAZ (CIVILIAN)
 

Nishan-e-Imtiaz

 

Hilal-e-Imtiaz

 

Sitara-e-Imtiaz

 

Tamgha-e-Imtiaz

ORDER OF IMTIAZ (MILITARY)
 

Nishan-e-Imtiaz

 

Hilal-e-Imtiaz

 

Sitara-e-Imtiaz

 

Tamgha-e-Imtiaz

The ribbon for the Sitara-e-Imtiaz (Civilian) is:

  • Yellow with a white centre band and a narrow Pakistan Green stripe in the middle.

The ribbon for the Sitara-e-Imtiaz (Military) is:

Recipients of Sitara-e-Imtiaz

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1950s

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  • Lieutenant Colonel Shaukat Syed (1959)

1960s

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1970s

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1980s

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1990s

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2004

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  • Mr Iftikhar Ahmad, PSP, (DIG Police, Multan) (Punjab)
  • Riazul Islam (Historian)[16]
  • Professor M. Sultan Farooqui
  • Professor Kazi Abdul Shakoor
  • Professor Faiz Muhammad Khan
  • Professor Dr. Manzoor Hussain Khan (Engineering/Metallurgy & Material Education)[17]

2005

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2006

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  • Liaquat H. Merchant (Banking Litigation, Services rendered in health and education sectors)
  • Mohammad Hussain Dadabhoy (2006)[18]
  • Dr Faiz Mohammad Khan (2006)[18]
  • Sultan Ali Allana (2006)[18]

2007

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2008

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2009

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2010

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2011

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  • Rao Maaz Khalid (Car Enthusiast)
  • Rear Admiral Moazzam Ilyas
  • Saeed Akhtar (Portrait Painter)
  • Dr.Engr.M.P.Gangwani (Bureaucrat & Social Worker)
  • Mohammad Yousuf (Former Test Player) in 2011
  • Siraj ul Haq Memon (literature and journalism)

2012

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2015

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  • Prof. Dr. Shahid Mahmood Baig (Science: Genetic Disorders in Pakistan)
  • Niaz Ahmad Akhtar (Education: Engineering & Technology)
  • Asif Mahmood Jah
  • Masood Ashar, (Literature)
  • Zahid Pervaiz, (Public Service)[25]
  • Col(R) Ayyaz Nasir
  • Yasmin Tahir (Arts: Compering)
  • Umar Saif (Education: Information Technology)
  • Mujahid Kamran (Education)
  • Rahat Ali Khan (Music: Classical & Semi Classical International Singer)
  • Saeed Ajmal (Sports: Cricket)
  • Abdul Rashid Seyal (Public Service)
  • Muhammad Parvez Masud (Social Services)
  • Muhammad Younas Sheikh (Social Work)
Hafeez ur Rehman Hoorani Science (Physics) Sindh, Pakistan
Muhammad Iqbal Science (Biotechnology) Punjab, Pakistan
Muhammad Aslam Noor Science (Mathematics) Punjab, Pakistan
Tariq Mahmood Fatik Engineering Punjab, Pakistan
Munir Ahmad Engineering Punjab, Pakistan
Ghulam Sarwar Engineering Punjab, Pakistan
Nadeem Ghaffar Engineering Punjab, Pakistan
Brig (R) Munawar Hussain Engineering Punjab, Pakistan
Aleem Arshad Engineering Punjab, Pakistan
Ayaz Ayub Engineering Punjab, Pakistan
Khalid Naseeruddin Shaikh Engineering Sindh, Pakistan
Nayyar Ali Dada Engineering Punjab, Pakistan
Syed Ather Enam Medicine Sindh, Pakistan
Mahboob Ali Medicine
Eice Muhammad Medicine
Mrs. Shahnaz Wazir Ali Education
Mohammad Rasul Jan Science KPK, Pakistan
Mohsin Raza Arts (Music) Punjab, Pakistan
Dr Shahbaz Malik Literature Punjab, Pakistan
Mustansar Hussain Tarar Literature Punjab, Pakistan
Yussuf Shaheen Daudpota Literature Sindh, Pakistan
Halil Toker Literature Turkey
Luca Maria Olivieri Services to Pakistan Italy
Nergis Mavalvala Services to Pakistan USA
Yang Wei Services to Pakistan China
Mushtaq Chhapra Public Service Sindh, Pakistan
Mian Ijaz ul Hassan Art Punjab, Pakistan

2018

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Shahzad Nasim Services to Pakistan Singapore
Zaid Ahmed Al-Muhaisen Services to Pakistan Jordan
Prof. Javed Iqbal Services to Pakistan Punjab, Pakistan
Asif Mahmood Services to Pakistan USA
Najeeb Ullah Ghauri Services to Pakistan USA
Pavel Bem Services to Pakistan Czech Republic
Selamic Kilic Services to Pakistan Turkey
Berislav Gaso Services to Pakistan Croatia
Zia Aftab Engineering (Electronics) Punjab, Pakistan
Safdar Moavia Engineering (Mechanical) Punjab, Pakistan
Rehan Majid Engineering (Mechanical/ Aerospace) Sindh, Pakistan
Rizwan Hussain Science (Chemistry) Punjab, Pakistan
Abdul Qayyum Engineering (Mechanical) Punjab, Pakistan
Muhammad Ilyas Engineering (Mining) Punjab, Pakistan
Arshad Saleem Bhatti Science (Physics, Nano-Science & Nanotechnology) Punjab, Pakistan
Ayub Sabir Education KPK, Pakistan
Kamran Vasfy Academic Distinction (Medicine/Destist)
Asrar Ahmad (Ibne Safi) (late) Literature Sindh, Pakistan
Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmani[33] Public Service Sindh, Pakistan
Allam Razi Jafar Haqvi Public Service Sindh, Pakistan
Muhammad Javed Afridi Public Service KPK, Pakistan
Ahmedullah Public Service (Highest Tax Payer)
Rehan Hassan Public Service (Highest Tax Payer)
Justice (R) Nasira Iqbal Public Service
Brigadier (R.) Tahir Ali Syed Pakistan Army (Military) Punjab, Pakistan
Abdul Hamid Science (Physics) Punjab, Pakistan
Raja Shahid Nazir Engineering (Mechanical) Punjab, Pakistan
Abdul Majeed Tilokar Engineering  (Metallurgy) Punjab, Pakistan
Sajid Baloch Engineering (Electronics) Punjab, Pakistan
Naeem Ullah Dar Engineering (Mechanical) Punjab, Pakistan
Haider Ali Bhatty Engineering  (Aerospace) Punjab, Pakistan
Muhammad  Saleem Engineering  (Chemical) Punjab, Pakistan
Amin Bahadur Engineering (Mechanical) KPK, Pakistan
Faizan Mansoor Engineering  (Nuclear Safety Regulation) (Islamabad)
Muhammad  Aniq Engineering  (Civil) Sindh, Pakistan
Nisar Ahmed Siddiqui (Late) Education Sindh, Pakistan
Farhan Saif Education Punjab, Pakistan
Ms. Bushra Ansari[35] Arts (Acting) Sindh, Pakistan
Talat Hussain[35] Arts (Acting) Sindh, Pakistan
Muhammad Imran Qureshi Arts (Miniature/Painting) (Punjab)
Ms. Sultana Siddiqui Arts (Drama Writer/Director/Producer) Sindh, Pakistan
Syed Farooq Qaiser Arts (Puppeteer/Writer) Punjab, Pakistan
Naeem Altaf Bukhari Arts (Anchorperson) Punjab, Pakistan
Abdul Qadir (Late) Sports (Cricket) Punjab, Pakistan
Sr. Ruth Lewis (Late)[36] Public Service
Brig. Rana Arfan Shakeel Ramay Public Service Punjab, Pakistan
Col. Sarwar Sultana Public Service Punjab, Pakistan
Khalid Mahmood Public Service Sindh, Pakistan
Ms. Sabina Khatri Public Service Sindh, Pakistan
Ahmed Irfan Aslam Public Service
Adnan Asdar Ali [37][38] Philanthropy Sindh, Pakistan
Pir Syed Lakht e Hassanain Philanthropy Punjab, Pakistan
Muhammad Masood ul Hassan Science (Physics) Punjab, Pakistan
Syed Hussain Abidi Science (Industrial Biotechnology) Punjab, Pakistan
Aslam Umer Engineering (Mechanical) Sindh, Pakistan
Tariq Hameed Engineering (Nuclear) Punjab, Pakistan
Muhammad Shahzad Control  Design System Punjab, Pakistan
Syed Waqar Azim Engineering (Mechanical) Punjab, Pakistan
Naveed ur Rehman Avionics & Aerospace Punjab, Pakistan
Muhammad Iqbal System Engineering Punjab, Pakistan
Arshad Nawaz Khan Engineering (Chemical) Punjab, Pakistan
Ms. Abida Riaz Shahid Alias Nelo (late) Art (Acting) Punjab, Pakistan
Rashid Ali Rana Fine Arts Punjab, Pakistan
Shahid Abdullah Architect Sindh, Pakistan
Syed Akeel Bilgrami Architect Sindh, Pakistan
Salman Iqbal Sport (Services to Cricket)
Maj. Gen. Arshad Naseem Public Service Punjab, Pakistan
Ms. Roshan Khursheed Bharucha Social Work
Mehmood ul Haq Alvi (late) Philanthropist

2023

Babar Azam (Cricket)

References

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  1. ^ "Civilian Awards - Emerging Pakistan". Emerging Pakistan. 1 July 2020. Archived from the original on 1 July 2020. Retrieved 16 July 2021.
  2. ^ Sitara-i-Imtiaz awards announced-2005 Dawn (newspaper), published 23 January 2014, Retrieved 11 November 2018
  3. ^ "Decorations and Medals of Pakistan, images and descriptions". Retrieved 12 February 2017.
  4. ^ Abul Hasanat (4 August 2013). "Transitions: Farman Fatehpuri, a researcher and linguist, passes away at 87". The Express Tribune (newspaper).
  5. ^ Khwaja Khurshid Anwar award info on urduwire.com website Retrieved 11 November 2018
  6. ^ a b "President confers civil awards". Business Recorder. 24 March 2007.
  7. ^ a b "Civil awards given". DAWN.COM. 24 March 2007. Retrieved 5 August 2020.
  8. ^ a b "Dr A R Kemal passes away". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
  9. ^ "Services of Prof Mughal lauded". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 11 March 2019.
  10. ^ "Dr. A. Q. Mughal". Habib University. Retrieved 11 March 2019.
  11. ^ "Prof. Misbah-ud-Din Shami". Islamic world academy of sciences. Archived from the original on 5 November 2019.
  12. ^ "ISLAMABAD: Two British officers played key role: N. Areas accession to Pakistan". DAWN.COM. November 2001.
  13. ^ "Pakistan Sports Board / Awards / Squash". Pakistan Sports Board website. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
  14. ^ Wazir Agha's award info on The News International (newspaper) Published 9 September 2010, Retrieved 11 November 2018
  15. ^ "Renowned Islamic Scholar Allama Talib Johri Funeral To Be Offered Today – Abb Takk News". Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  16. ^ Islam, Riazul (24 February 2016). "Express Tribune PK".
  17. ^ "130 nationals, foreigners to get civil awards". Dawn. 14 August 2004. Retrieved 23 March 2024.
  18. ^ a b c "127 awards conferred on Pakistan Day". DAWN.COM. 24 March 2006. Retrieved 23 March 2022.
  19. ^ "Military awards announced". DAWN.COM. 15 August 2009. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  20. ^ "Ayesha Jalal: Borderline Politics". tribune.com. 20 April 2014. Retrieved 10 October 2022.
  21. ^ "List of civil award winners". 16 August 2009.
  22. ^ "List of civil award winners". DAWN.COM. 16 August 2009. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  23. ^ Investiture Ceremony: 67 to receive national awards today The Express Tribune (newspaper), Published 23 March 2012, Retrieved 11 November 2018
  24. ^ President confers civil awards on Pakistani citizens and foreign nationals The News (newspaper), Published 15 August 2012
  25. ^ "President confers civil, military awards on meritorious figures". The Nation. p. 4. Retrieved 24 March 2015.
  26. ^ "PID". pid.gov.pk. Retrieved 3 January 2022.
  27. ^ "23 awarded on 23rd". The Nation. 24 March 2017. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
  28. ^ Uploader (23 March 2017). "President to confer 145 Pakistan Civil Awards today". Associated Press Of Pakistan. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
  29. ^ "President confers civil awards on Pak citizens, foreigners". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
  30. ^ Tribune.com.pk (15 August 2016). "Mustansar Hussain Tarar to receive Sitara-e-Imtiaz". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
  31. ^ President Mamnoon confers civil awards on Yaum-i-Pakistan Dawn (newspaper), Published 23 March 2018, Retrieved 3 January 2019
  32. ^ "PID". pid.gov.pk. Retrieved 3 January 2022.
  33. ^ a b "Conferment of Pakistan Civil Awards" (PDF) (Press release). Government of Pakistan, Cabinet Secretariat. 14 August 2019. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 October 2019.
  34. ^ "CONFERMENT OFPAKISTAN CIVIL AWARDS - 14th AUGUST, 2020" (PDF). GOVERNMENT OF PAKISTAN CABINET SECRETARIAT (CABINET DIVISION). 14 August 2020. Retrieved 2 January 2022.
  35. ^ a b "Pakistan Day: Ali Zafar, Humayun Saeed, Bushra Ansari, others honoured with civil awards". The News International. 23 March 2021. Retrieved 23 March 2021.
  36. ^ "Posthumous Nishan-i-Imtiaz for Sadequain, Ahmad Faraz". DAWN.COM. 15 August 2020. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  37. ^ "President confers civil awards to 184 Pakistanis, foreigners for excellence, services". The Nation. 14 August 2020. Retrieved 24 March 2021.
  38. ^ "Governor confers civil awards". DAWN.COM. 24 March 2021. Retrieved 24 March 2021.
  39. ^ "CONFERMENT OE PAKISTAN CIVIL AWARDS - 14th AUGUST, 2021" (PDF). Pakistan Cabinet. 14 August 2021. Retrieved 2 January 2022.