ISLAMABAD: Pakistani singer Shehzad Roy received his second Sitara-e-Imtiaz, while author Mohsin Hamid received his third in Islamabad on the occasion of Pakistan Day.
On Thursday morning, the singer tweeted, “I will be honored with the Sitara-e-Imtiaz tomorrow in Islamabad. I know of so many unsung heroes who may never be publicly recognised but they work every day to reform our society. I dedicate this award to their selfless dedication.”
I will be honored with the Sitara-e-Imtiaz tomorrow in Islamabad. I know of so many unsung heros who may never be publicly recognised but they work everyday to reform our society. I dedicate this award to their selfless dedication.
— Shehzad Roy (@ShehzadRoy) March 22, 2018
Sitara-e-Imtiaz is Pakistan’s third highest civilian honour, awarded to individuals who have made significant contributions to the security or national interests of Pakistan, world peace, cultural or other significant public endeavours.
Roy is the founder and president of Zindagi Trust, which aims to improve the quality of education across Pakistan. His NGO also greatly contributed towards the rehabilitation of the 2005 Kashmir earthquake, which earned him his first Sitara-e-Imtiaz in 2005 and the Sitara-e-Ehsaar in 2006.
Late last year, Roy was also appointed as the National Goodwill Ambassador for United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
Meanwhile, acclaimed British-Pakistani writer and journalist Mohammed Hanif also received the award from President Mamnun Hussain.
Previous recipients of the Sitara-e-Imtiaz include singer Ghulam Ali, poet Ahmed Faraz, filmmaker Syed Noor, writer Saadat Hasan Manto, former cricketer Inzamam ul Haq, architect/heritage conservationist Yasmeen Lari, actor Waheed Murad, artist Jamil Naqsh and novelist Bapsi Sidhwa.
