President Asif Ali Zardari has conferred the Sitara-i-Imtiaz award upon Asif Bashir in recognition of his services in saving the lives of several pilgrims during last year's Hajj.

The President presented the award at a special investiture ceremony in Islamabad today.

Asif Bashir, currently serving as a computer operator in the office of the Deputy Commissioner of Peshawar, was deputed as a Hajj Muavin during last year's pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.

He carried 26 pilgrims, who had become unconscious due to the scorching heat, on his shoulders to the hospital, and 17 of them, hailing from India, were saved.