President Pervez Musharraf conferred on Wednesday night Pakistan's highest civil award, "Nishan-e-Pakistan," on Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Bin Abdul-aziz for his immense contribution in solidifying Saudi-Pakistani relations in all fields, says an official statement. Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, members of King Abdullah's delegation, Pakistan's federal ministers, armed forces top brass and senior officials attended the ceremony, held at the Aiwan-e-Sadr (presidential palace) in Islamabad. The citation read out before the conferment of the award said: "Khadim Al-Harmain A-Sharifain King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud has always been a true and sincere friend of Pakistan. The government and people of Pakistan deeply cherish the profound consideration and affection that His Majesty has always demonstrated for Pakistan and its people. His Majesty has a special place of honor in the hearts of the people of Pakistan. He embodies the spiritual values which bind our two countries in an abiding relationship. Under the sagacious guidance of His Majesty, the relations between Pakistan and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have grown from strength to strength. His Majesty's government has stood by Pakistan at all times. The generous contribution of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the economic and social uplift of Pakistan is deeply appreciated. His Majesty's steadfast support on issues of vital concern will always be remembered by the people of Pakistan. His Majesty is an outstanding statesman of our times who has dedicated his life for advocating international peace and amity. His Majesty's commitment is the promotion of just causes of the Muslim Ummah and the well-being of the Muslims around the world that has earned him a position of pre-eminence within the Islamic world. His Majesty's leadership is critical in transforming the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) and a torch-bearer for the future of the Ummah. In recognition of the outstanding contribution of Khadim Al-Harmain Al-Sharifain King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud to the development of greater understanding and cooperation between Pakistan and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as an expression of the high esteem in which he is held by the people of Pakistan, and for his tireless services for the unity and progress of the Ummah, the President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan has been pleased to confer on His Majesty the highest Civil Award of Nishan-i-Pakistan."
