Nishan-e-Imtiaz
Awarded by the Sovereign, on the advice of the Government
Type	Award
Eligibility	Pakistani or Foreign citizen
Awarded for	For the highest degree of service to the state, and for services to international diplomacy.
Status	Currently constituted
Sovereign	President of Pakistan
Sovereign	Prime minister of Pakistan
Grades	5 grade: Star (1st Class) Badge (Second Class) Ribbon (military only) Collar Chain (4th class) Medal (5th Class)^[1]
Statistics
First induction	19 March 1957
Precedence
Next (lower)	Hilal-i-Imtiaz
Ribbons: military (only)

The Hilal-i-Imtiaz^[2], English: Crescent of Excellence, Urdu: حلا ل ا متيا ز , is the second highest civilian award and honor given to both civilian or a military officers of the Pakistan Armed Forces of the State of Pakistan by the Government of Pakistan.

The Hilal-i-Imtiaz is a highly restricted and one of the most prestigious honorary award conferred to those individuals who caused or done outstanding contribution to their respected fields that prompted international recognition to the State. It is a distinguished merit and awarded in the fields of literature, arts, sports, medicine, or science for civilians. Once a year, it is announced on the Independence Day (August 14) and given on Pakistan Day (March 23) to the People of Pakistan by the President of Pakistan. For officers in the military, it is given after distinguished service, and is also the highest medal award that can be awarded to those at the rank of 2-star Major Generalor 3-star Lieutenant General.

Notes

^ Note: It is usually given all together. Only Military officers from Pakistan Defence Forces are awarded the ribbon which is attached to their respected uniform
^ it is also spelled as Hilal-e-Imtiaz

External links

Decorations and Medals of Pakistan

v t e Pakistan honours and military decorations
Gallantry awards	Nishan-i-Haider Medal (Sign of the Lion; 1st highest award) Hilal-i-Jur'at Medal (Crescent of Courage; 2nd highest award) Sitara-i-Jur'at Medal (Star of Courage; 3rd highest award) Tamgha-i-Jur'at (Medal of Courage; 4th highest award) Imtiazi Sanad Medal (Mention in Despatches; 5th highest award)
Non-operational awards (without enemy engagement)	Sitara-e-Basalat (Star of Valour) Tamgha-i-Basalat (Medal of Valour) Tamgha-i-Khidmat (Class I) (Medal of Service; military) Tamgha-i-Khidmat (Class II) (Medal of Service; military) Tamgha-i-Khidmat (Class III) (Medal of Service; military)
Civilian military awards	Nishan-e-Imtiaz (Order of Excellence) Hilal-i-Imtiaz (Crescent of Excellence; civilian) Sitara-i-Imtiaz (Star of Excellence; civilian) Tamgha-e-Imtiaz (Medal of Excellence; civilian) Tamgha-i-Khidmat (Medal of Service; civilian)