Pakistan confers Hilal-i-Quaid-I-Azam on Boucher

Islamabad, Jan.5 (ANI): President Asif Ali Zardari conferred the award of Hilal-i-Quaid-i-Azam on Richard Boucher, U.S..Assistant Secretary of State for Central and South Asian Affairs, at a special investiture ceremony at the Aiwan-e-Sadr here on Monday.

The award was conferred on Boucher for his services to Pakistan, The News reported.

The citation read out on the occasion said; "As Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, Ambassador Boucher has been instrumental in promoting a stable, broad-based and long-term Pakistan-U.S relationship."

"Mr. Boucher has been visiting Pakistan frequently for deepening bilateral cooperation in diverse areas as well as promoting shared objectives for regional peace, stability and prosperity."

Boucher thanked the Pakistan Government for conferring the award on him.(ANI)