President Asif Zardari on 26 July 2025 conferred the Nishan-e-Imtiaz (Military) on U.S. Army General Michael E. Kurilla, commander of United States Central Command, during a ceremony at the Aiwan-e-Sadr in Islamabad. The decoration is Pakistan’s highest military honour for foreign officers. Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations said the award recognises Kurilla’s “exemplary service” in strengthening bilateral defence ties, deepening counter-terrorism cooperation and bolstering regional security. Kurilla received a tri-service guard of honour before meeting Zardari and Army Chief Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir for talks on regional threats and future military collaboration. The presentation marks a further warming of defence relations between Islamabad and Washington after a period of strained ties, and signals Pakistan’s interest in expanding joint efforts against militant groups operating along its borders and across the broader Central and South Asian region.