Recipient dedicates award to Riyadh’s Pak community

The Pakistani community in Riyadh felicitated renowned physician Dr. Riaz Jawed Khawaja on Thursday night for being honored with the country’s third highest civilian award of Sitara-e-Imtiaz (Star of Excellence) in a glittering ceremony in the presence of several diplomats and high ranking officials.
Dr. Khawaja was awarded the Sitara-e-Imtiaz for his exemplary services to the Pakistani community in the Kingdom, especially those living in Riyadh, where he is based.
The announcements of the civilian and gallantry awards were made on the eve of Pakistan’s Independence Day which falls on Aug. 14.
At a ceremony organized to honor his achievement, an emotional Dr. Khawaja expressed his affection for the community and dedicated the third highest civilian award to the community members in Riyadh saying, “It belongs to you as it is your prayers, love and affection that have contributed to my being decorated with this beautiful civilian award.” He added that he was thankful to the Pakistani community for always being there for him. He also voiced his surprise at being named as the recipient of the civilian honor, and expressed his gratitude to the Pakistani government for recognizing his efforts overseas.
Applauding the great community service rendered by Dr. Khawaja, charge d’affaires at the Pakistan Embassy, Khayyam Akbar said: “Dr. Khawaja is a model of humility who has given his time and effort to serve the Pakistani community based in Riyadh.”
He added that Dr. Khawaja was a well-known personality among the Pakistani community in Riyadh and was deserving of the Sitara-e-Imtiaz.
Naming some of his contributions, the charge d’affaires said that Dr. Khawaja is well-known in the community for his social services.
Being the founder and lifetime chairman of the Pakistan Cultural Group (PCG), Dr. Khawaja is also credited with founding and being the lifetime chairman of the Pakistan Doctor’s Group (PDG), which he established in 1987.
“Dr. Khawaja was an active participant in the medical camps organized by the embassy and served there to the best of his capacity,” Akbar underscored.
Akbar also acknowledged that many people were doing public services here with great enthusiasm and said that the mission will keep recommending names to be bestowed with government honors for their unconditional services.
The felicitation function was hosted by overseas Pakistani businessman Choudhry Faryad who expressed his happiness, saying: “This is the first time that an overseas Pakistani in Saudi Arabia has been bestowed with the honor and we feel that this award to him is an honor for the Pakistani community in Riyadh.”
The program was moderated by famous Riyadh-based Pakistani poet Javed Akhatar Javed and attended by a huge number of prominent Pakistanis.
Dr. Khawaja arrived in the Kingdom in 1971. Initially, he worked with the Riyadh Central Hospital in Shumaisi and later served for 6 years with the King Khaed royal medical team.
He remained associated for 15 years with the Royal Conference Palace as a consultant for medical affairs.
Dr. Khawaja is also credited with helping to establish a free clinic at the Pakistan Embassy for low-income community members, who cannot afford medical treatment.