Pakistan has conferred its highest civilian award, Hilal-i-Pakistan, on Professor Dr. Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, Secretary General of the Organization of the Islamic Countries (OIC) for his services to Pakistan, a press release issued here Sunday said. The investiture ceremony will be held on Pakistan Day, March 23. The award was conferred on Prof. Dr. Ihsanoglu for his friendship with Pakistan and also for promoting the cause of Jammu and Kashmir, the press release said. Umar Khan Ali Sherzai, Ambassador of Pakistan to the Kingdom, and Zaigham Uddin Azam, Consul General of Pakistan, felicitated the OIC Secretary General for the well- deserved award he earned for his services to Pakistan. Hilal-i-Pakitan is the highest civilian award given by the government to civilians for their distinguished merits and services to Pakistan. On Saturday, Pakistan conferred Sitara-e-Quaid-e-Azam on renowned Saudi journalist and managing editor of Urdu News, Tariq Mishkhas, for his services to Pakistan. The award 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. __
