ISLAMABAD – President Asif Ali Zardari has approved Hilal-e-Imtiaz, a prestigious civil award, for an overseas Pakistani named Umar Faroor, who had exposed the matter related to selling of a Toshakhana watch by former prime minister Imran Khan, reports said.
The president approved total 104 civil awards for Pakistani and foreign nationals in recognition of their services of Pakistan. He announced the names on the eve of the Independence Day.
All the individuals will be presented with the civil awards at a ceremony on March 23, 2025. The awards will be given in various fields including science, engineering, education, medicine, arts, literature, sports, social services, humanitarian work, business, taxpayers and exporters, public services, bravery, and overall contributions.
Umar Farooq will be honored with Hilal-e-Imtiaz for exposing the matter of PTI founder Imran Khan’s watch from the Toshakhana.
Umar Farooq had highlighted discrepancies in the matter and raised questions about the handling of these precious gifts, given by foreign countries to him.
In light of the revelations, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) launched a graft reference against the PTI founder and his wife Bushra Bibi.
On Jan 31, 2024, Imran and Bushra Bibi were sentenced to jail for 14 years in the Toshakhana reference by an Islamabad accountability court. They were barred from holding any public office for 10 years while a fine of Rs787 million was also imposed on each of them.
Later in April, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) suspended the 14-year sentences given to Imran Khan and his wife in the Toshakhana reference.
