ISLAMABAD: President of Pakistan Dr. Arif Alvi has conferred Sitara-e-Imtiaz, Pakistan’s one of the highest civilian awards to the President and CEO ARY Digital Network Mr. Salman Iqbal on Wednesday.

The owner of the Pakistan Super League (PSL)’s most-followed franchise Karachi Kings – Mr Salman Iqbal received the honour for his services for sports, especially in the field of cricket.

The ceremony was held at the Aiwan-e-Sadar in Islamabad, where President Dr Arif Alvi awarded Sitara-e-Imtiaz to Mr Salman Iqbal.

Mr Salman Iqbal’s PSL franchise Karachi Kings has produced a number of quality cricketers. Whereas in June 2021, Mr Salman Iqbal also announced a new international cricket league called the 90-Ninety Bash which will soon take place in United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Earlier this month, ARY Digital Network joined hands with the Sindh Squash Association to host a high-profile sporting event – Karachi Open Squash Championship 2022, in an attempt to foster a sporting culture in the country.

In the event under the ACE Games initiative launched by the ARY group, a large number of international squash players including 40 foreign players took part in the PSA World Tour Bronze and PSA Challenger Tour of the Karachi Open Squash Championship.

It is pertinent to mention here that at the launching ceremony of Pakistan’s first HD Sports Channel — A Sports, last year in October, Mr Salman Iqbal pledged to promote every single sport in the country.