'Hilal-e-Imtiaz' and 'Pride of Pakistan' conferred on US-Pakistani philanthropist

ISLAMABAD/LONDON: President Asif Ali Zardari Saturday conferred Pakistan's second highest civilian award "Hilal-e-Imtiaz” and “Pride of Pakistan” on American-Pakistani philanthropist Tanweer Ahmed for his services towards Pakistan’s development and playing his role in enhancing Pakistan’s relations with the United States of America (USA).

The US-Pakistani businessman was awarded for his "services for Pakistan and its people, enhancing defence cooperation, strengthening of bilateral ties and contributions towards peace efforts in the region".

The recitation said: “Tanweer Ahmed, who is based in the US, has played an important role in helping Pakistan’s educational, medical and social causes through his philanthropy. He has always played a leading role in promoting relations between the US and Pakistan. Tanweer Ahmed has donated $9 million for NUST, paid Rs75 million for the flood victims and established a free dialysis centre in Sialkot. Honouring his humanitarian services, the Pakistan president has conferred Hilal-e-Imtiaz on Tanweer Ahmed.”

The philanthropist was also mentioned in the “Pride of Pakistan” category. The recitation said: “Tanweer Ahmed’s financial assistance and his philanthropy towards mosques, schools and victims of floods merits a mention. To help poor students access quality education and to help eradicate Hepatitis C, he helped establish a free dialysis centre in Sialkot, and converted a girl’s high school into a college in his native village Deska are amongst some of his selfless work. You are a patriotic Pakistan and the nation salutes you.”

The ceremony, held at Aiwan-e-Sadr in Islamabad, was attended by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif and other senior officials.

In December last year, COAS General Munir appreciated Ahmed for his donation of $9 million towards building an IT Tower at Islamabad's National University of Science and Technology (NUST). According to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the army chief met with top US officials and a large number of Pakistani diaspora communities during his maiden visit to Washington.

"The COAS met Tanweer Ahmed who graciously donated $9 million for NUST in the field of IT development in Pakistan. COAS appreciated him and said Pakistan is proud of heroes like him,” the ISPR added.

He also praised Ahmed for his donations to help Pakistan during natural calamities and to promote IT education in the country.

Two months ago, the Indus University on the recommendation of Sindh's governor conferred the honorary doctorate degree on Ahmed in acknowledgement of his services to the IT and health sectors in Pakistan.

The US-Pakistani businessman said: “I am honoured to have received Pakistan's second highest civilian award 'Hilal-e-Imtiaz'. I will continue to work towards creating better understanding between the US and Pakistan and to improve cultural ties between the two nations. I was born in Pakistan and studied here before shifting to the US where I was able to do business and to be able to help others. Both countries are very dear to me.”