Video: Pakistan honours Dubai expat with civilian award

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Video: Pakistan honours Dubai expat with civilian award

Islamabad/Dubai - The legend has been a long time UAE resident.

By Web Report

Published: Sun 24 Mar 2019, 11:00 PM

Last updated: Mon 25 Mar 2019, 11:05 PM

Dubai-based Pakistani legend received one of Pakistan's top civilian honours on March 23 as the nation celebrated Pakistan Day.
Pakistan's singing legend, Sajjad Ali, was among the 127 people who received civilian awards last Saturday.
The awards were presented by President Dr Arif Alvi to artistes and other public figures for their excellence in different fields.
Ali was honoured with the Sitara-i-Imtiaz - the third highest civilian honour in Pakistan - along with another folk legend, Attaullah Khan Esakhelvi.

Another UAE expat to receive the same award was Dr Zia ul Hasan - a Dubai resident.
Ali, who has been a UAE expat for many years now, is known for his versatile range - having produced classical and pop hits since the late 80s.
Some of his iconic hits include 'Chief Saab', 'Bolo Bolo', 'Paniyon Mein' and 'Babia' among others.
He took to Twitter to thank his fans and dedicated the award to them:

I Dedicate this to all of My FANS ?? #sitaraeimtyaz. ?? #CivilAwards #presidentAward pic.twitter.com/XbloR8nEhn
- Sajjad Ali (@sajjad_official) March 23, 2019

Fans, including celebrities congratulated the legend for the award then acknowledged his contribution to music over the decades:

The Sitara is happy to be with you too. YOU ARE ????????
- Zaw Ali (@TheCodeOfZaw) March 24, 2019

Thankyou for the AMAZING music sir!!!!! We're hooked everyday.
Congratulations!!!!
- MAWRA HOCANE (@MawraHocane) March 24, 2019

Congratulations!
- Marvi Sirmed (@marvisirmed) March 24, 2019

Well deserved
- Fasi Zaka (@fasi_zaka) March 23, 2019

You deserve this and much more #legendary singer and most humble man
- Ali Gul Pir (@Aligulpir) March 23, 2019

The singer is still an active artiste, producing songs and promoting them through soclal media.

He also recorded a song with his daughter for Coke Studio:

An impromptu jam with his fans in Dubai:

A simple fan moment turns into an incredible mehfil as @nescafebasement gang comes to Dubai to meet Sajjad Ali https://t.co/f3n1BIBtdX pic.twitter.com/LcObVYr72D
- Sajjad Ali (@sajjad_official) February 12, 2019