President of Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari conferred National Civil Award - Tamgha-i-Imtiaz to Muhammad Arif Balgamwala, sitting Managing Committee Member and Chairman Diplomatic Affairs Committee of Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI). He is honoured National Civil Award on his outstanding and exceptional performance as Pakistan's first-ever Philatelist, who has brought recognition and fame for Pakistan amongst Worldwide Philately by winning 5 times gold and 3 times large gold in the International Exhibitions.

Siraj Kassam Teli, Chairman Businessmen Group (BMG) and former President of Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Tahir Khaliq, M. Zubair Motiwala, Haroon Farooki, Former Presidents of KCCI, Anjum Nisar, President-KCCI, Muhammad Jawed Bilwani, Senior Vice President-KCCI, Muhammad Ali, Vice President-KCCI and Members Managing Committee-KCCI has expressed their cordial felicitations to Arif Balgamwala for getting National Civil Award- Tamgha-i-Imtiaz. They were of the opinion that Arif Balgamwala has not only brought dignity and fame for Pakistan in worldwide philately but his international & national achievement has also brought pride for KCCI and the business community. They also appreciated him for rendering remarkable services to KCCI and the business community of Karachi as KCCI-Managing Committee Member. They also appreciated and congratulated him for his efforts for designing and issuance of commemorative postage stamp issued by Pakistan Post on the 75th Anniversary of KCCI's historical building. They also expressed their compliments to President of Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari for honouring National Civil Award to Arif Balgamwala.

Arif Balgamwala expressed his cordial gratitude and thanks to the honourable President of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari for recognizing his national and international achievement as Pakistan's leading philatelist and honouring him the National Civil Award - Tamgha-i-Imtiaz. He stated that it is an honour for him to get the Civil Award of Pakistan. He ensured that with more zeal, enthusiasm and commitment, he will continue his expedition, represent Pakistan in the globe and bring more fame and dignity to Pakistan by winning more gold medals and awards.

Arif Balgamwala is the first-ever Pakistani in the last 63 years history of Pakistan to get Large Gold along with Best Exhibitor and Special Prize Winning twice at Pacific Explorer 2004 & 2005 World Stamp Exhibition, Australia. He is also the only Exhibitor of the World to win Best Exhibit Award twice. Arif Balgamwala's voyage for winning International Awards and acclaim started in 1976 and till date he had won 58 Medals in International Exhibitions and 42 Medals in the National Exhibitions.
Arif Balgamwala is also the only philatelist of Pakistan to arrange 15 solo exhibitions for promotion of Pakistan's philately. He is also the member of several philatelic societies and institutions worldwide and he frequently delivers lectures on important occasions. He is also the author of books viz Gems of Pakistan, Postal Stationery and Stamps Overprinted Pakistan, Pakistan overprints 1947-1949 Catalogue, Pakistan Banknotes and Coins Catalogue 1947-2001. He has also presented many programmes regarding Philately in Pakistan in the leading TV channels and written numerous articles for print media. He is a prominent businessmen of Karachi and sitting Managing Committee Member and Chairman, Diplomatic Affairs Committee of KCCI.