In connection with the 78th Independence Day — observed Thursday with a special focus on Marka-e-Haq, the recent armed conflict with India — the President House hosted a special investiture ceremony where the country’s top civil and military leaders were bestowed national awards.
Among the recipients was Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Asim Munir who was bestowed with Hilal-e-Jurat by President Asif Ali Zardari for leading the army during the most difficult of times.
The awards ceremony came against the backdrop of the recent Pakistan-India conflict, which saw Washington brokering a ceasefire between the two nuclear-armed neighbours after New Delhi launched attacks inside Pakistan — under the pretext of targeting terrorists — which it said were responsible for the Pahalgam attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
India’s attacks prompted Pakistan to launch Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos after downing six Indian Air Force fighter jets, including three Rafales, in response to Indian unprovoked aggression.
