The government of Pakistan conferred one of its highest civilian awards - Sitara-e-Quaid-e-Azam - on renowned Saudi journalist and managing editor of Urdu News, Tariq Mishkhas, for his services to Pakistan. The investiture ceremony will take place on the forthcoming Pakistan Day (March 23, 2009). “The award was conferred on Tariq Mishkhas for the contribution he made through his writings and analyses in fostering closer ties between the Kingdom and Pakistan. The new Ambassador, Umar Khan Ali Sherzai, Consul General Zaigham Uddin Azam and the Press Consul felicitated Mishkhas for the well-deserved award he earned for the promotion of Pak-Saudi relationships,” said a statement released by the Pakistani Consulate in Jeddah. Sitara-e-Quaid-e-Azam is an honor given by the government of Pakistan to civilians for distinguished merits in the fields of literature, arts, sports, medicine, and science and journalism. __