The musician, who has been a huge hit in India since he sang Woh Lahme which was picturised on Bollywood's Emran Hashmi, showed up in a black sherwani to receive the award from the Punjab Governor on Pakistan Day on March 23.

Aslam, who has performed in about 25 countries in 2007, said, "I think I got the award because I represented Pakistan internationally a lot this year. That's what the Tamgha-e-Imtiaz stands for. It's awarded to people who make Pakistan proud globally."

Aslam may have a fan in Bollywood actress Bipasha Basu but has often been criticised by Indian singers Sunidhi Chauhan and Abhijeet who claim he cannot sing.

"I've never said I can sing. Look, unlike these guys I have no professional training and I always say that I cannot sing. I agree I cannot sing. What's amazing is that I've made a career out of doing something I can't do," Aslam said.

Asked whether he would consider appearing in Bollywood films, Aslam said, "I have offers from Bollywood but am waiting for the right script, no matter how cliche that sounds. Right now my music career is going great. I don't want to put my music career at risk right now."

Shoaib Mansoor whose critically acclaimed film Khuda Kay Liye on the life of Muslims in the post-9/11 era will be in India on April 4 was given Pakistan's highest civilian award, the Sitara-i-Imtaiz.

Other personalities, including Shafqat Amanat Ali Khan, Zulfiqar Ali, Reshma and Ustad Hamid Ali Khan also given civilian awards.