A prestigious Pakistani award has been conferred on a Pakistani expatriate in the Kingdom for the very first time.

The Sitara-e-Imtiaz, the third highest civilian award in the state of Pakistan, has been given to prominent social worker and medical practitioner Riaz Jawed Khawaja for his services to the Pakistani community in Saudi Arabia and, in particular, the Pakistani community in Riyadh.

The star of excellence award recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the security or national interests of Pakistan and world peace, as well as cultural and other significant public endeavors.

“I am happy to be the first Pakistani expatriate in Saudi Arabia to have won this award,” said Khawaja.

He took the opportunity to thank former ambassadors of Pakistan, namely Ali Sherzai and Muhammad Naeem Khan, for their appreciation of his services. He also thanked Pakistani community members for their support.

Khawaja is a well-known personality among the Pakistani community in Riyadh.

He arrived in the Kingdom way back in 1971 and served for six years with King Khalid’s royal medical team. He remained associated with the royal conference palace as a consultant of medical affairs for 15 years. He later worked for 10 years with the Riyadh Central Hospital, at one time the biggest hospital in the Kingdom.

He also remained a licensed family practitioner for 30 years until recently.

He has been honored several times by various social and literary organizations affiliated with the Pakistani community in Riyadh.

Khawaja has taken active part in gathering relief collections for the victims of earthquake and floods in Pakistan. He has helped establish a free clinic at the Pakistan Embassy for low-income Pakistani residents in Riyadh who cannot afford medical treatment and extends all forms of help and assistance to needy compatriots.