Hilal-i-Quaid-e-Azam for US lawmaker

Published: July 05, 2009

ISLAMABAD - President Asif Ali Zardari has conferred Hilal-i-Quaid-e-Azam Award on US Congressman Chris Van Hollen in recognition of his strong support for Pakistan in the House of Representatives.
Congressman Chris Van Hollen, a Democrat, was born in Karachi in 1959 where his father was serving as US diplomat.
Hollen has always supported democracy and rule of law in Pakistan.
He also supported the bill on Reconstruction of Opportunity Zones (ROZs), which entailed creation of specialised zones in the border areas including Fata for duty-free export of selected products to the United States.
Pakistan’s Ambassador in Washington had recommended the conferment of award on Hollen. Under the rules, civil awards are announced only once a year on August 14 for investiture on the following Pakistan Day, 23rd March. On the advice of the Prime Minister, the President, however, relaxed the rules to enable conferment and investiture of the awards at any time.

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