Italy’s President confers prestigious award on prominent Pakistani journalist – Ambassador Andreas Ferrarese decorates Shafqat Ali

ISLAMABAD: President of Italy Sergio Mattarella has conferred a prestigious Knighthood award on prominent Pakistani journalist Shafqat Ali.

Ambassador of Italy to Pakistan Andreas Ferrarese decorated Shafqat Ali with Ordine della Stella d’Italia (Order of the Star of Italy) at a ceremony organized at his official residence. The Ambassador’s wife Albana Ferrarese presented the award which was then decorated by the envoy.

Speaking at the ceremony, Ambassador Andreas Ferrarese said that Shafqat Ali had supported Pakistan-Italy friendship.

He highlighted the points which eventually convinced President of Italy Sergio Mattarella to confer the prestigious award to the Pakistani journalist.

Ambassador Ferrarese said that Pakistan and Italy were great friends and support each other. He pointed out that a lot of Pakistanis were contributing to Italy’s progress in Italy.

The envoy said that the award was given to the foreigners who demonstrate special efforts for highlighting Italy’s positiveties and support bilateral ties.

Senator Mushahid Hussain and Farhatullah Babar acknowledged the services of Shafqat Ali in the field of media. They congratulated him on winning the prestigious award.

They commended Ambassador Andreas Ferrarese’s efforts for strengthening the Pakistan-Italy ties and appreciated the friendship between the two countries.

The Order of the Star of Italy was formed in 2011. The order was reformed from the Order of the Star of Italian Solidarity by the 11th President of Italy, Giorgio Napolitano.

The emphasis of the reformed award was shifted from post-war reconstruction to the preservation and promotion of national prestige abroad, promoting friendly relations and co-operation with other countries and ties with Italy.

This distinction, which qualifies as a second civilian honor of the State, represents a particular honor on behalf of all those, Italians abroad or foreigners, who have acquired special merit in the promotion of friendly relations and cooperation between Italy and other countries and the promotion of ties with Italy.

The order is conferred by the President of the Republic on the proposal of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, after consulting the Council of the Order, which shall be chaired by the Minister himself and is composed of four members, one of which is by law the Head of the Diplomatic Protocol of the Republic.

A further innovation is the order of the classes, which increased from three to five: Knight Grand Cross, Grand Officer, Commander, Officer and Knight, plus the special class of the Grand Cross of Honor.