Pakistan envoy invites Japanese people to explore Pakistan’s rich cultural landscape

Thu, 7 Dec 2023, 10:25 PM

ISLAMABAD, Dec 7 (APP): Ambassador of Pakistan in Tokyo Raza Bashir Tarar on Thursday invited the Japanese people to explore Pakistan’s rich cultural landscape, hidden gems, and legendary hospitality.

The ambassador, addressing the Gandhara Seminar hosted by the embassy, said the shared values of craftsmanship, tradition and intercultural appreciation formed a solid bedrock for stronger Pakistan-Japan ties to move forward, said a press release received here.

The seminar was attended by a group of Buddhist professors, monks, business leaders, travel agents, and media figures. The event was aimed to highlight and strengthen the cultural and economic ties between Pakistan and Japan.

In his remarks, Ambassador Tarar emphasized the enduring friendship between the two nations that transcended geographical proximity. He touched upon the countries’ fruitful collaboration covering trade, technology, academia, tourism, and more.

He also spotlighted Pakistan’s treasured Gandhara civilization, which thrived for over a millennium in the region that now comprises northern Pakistan and eastern Afghanistan. This seminal Buddhist center was instrumental in disseminating Buddhist art, architecture and beliefs across Central and East Asia.

The envoy said that the remnants of the influential civilization, including thousands of artifacts, archaeological sites, and iconic Buddha statues crafted in Greco-Buddhist style, continue to attract visitors and researchers of Buddhist heritage.

The seminar offered attendees an impactful glimpse into Pakistan’s enduring Buddhist history and its intersection with present-day Pakistan-Japan collaboration. It served as a starting point for further cultural and economic exchange between the longstanding partners.

IHC rejects NAB’s request to remand back Al-Azizia Steel Mills reference

NNPS Desk

Thu, 7 Dec 2023, 10:21 PM

ISLAMABAD, Dec 07 (APP): The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday rejected the NAB request for remanding back the Al-Azizia Steel Mills reference to the accountability court, and decided to hear the appeal of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz Quaid Nawaz Sharif on merit.

The bench comprising Chief Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb, which heard the PML-N leader’s appeal his conviction in the reference
sought arguments from the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on next date of hearing.

The former prime minister appeared before the court along with his legal team.

At the outset of hearing, Nawaz Sharif’s counsel Amjad Pervaiz said that NAB had filed graft references on the directions of the top court. Separate references were filed with similar allegations against the former prime minister, he said, adding that they had requested only one reference should be prepared against one allegation.

The lawyer said that NAB had withdrawn its appeal in the Flagship reference while the IHC had acquitted Nawaz Sharif in the Avenfield property case.

Amjad Pervaiz said that the court had to view that whether the prosecution had proved its charges in the Al-Azizia Steel Mills reference or not. He said that his client was accused of making assets beyond known sources of income. There were 22 witnesses in the cases, including 13 people who presented the case record, he added, adding that there was no eye witness in the case.

He said that Hill Metal Establishment owned by Hussain Nawaz was set up in 2005-2006 in Jaddah. It was set up after selling the Al-Azizia Steel Mills.

The lawyer said that Nawaz Sharif never had any connection with the companies.

Amjad Pervaiz said that JIT head Wajid Zia and investigation officer Mehboob Alam could not prove that Hussain Nawaz was the dependent of Nawaz Sharif.
Moreover, he said, Nawaz Sharif was not a public office holder from October 12, 1999 to May 2013.

On the occasion, the NAB prosecutor objected on the arguments and said that some miscellaneous applications of Nawaz Sharif were pending which should be decided first or they should withdraw them.

Amjad Pervaiz said that there was an application of defence regarding the videos of judge Arshad Malik, which they would not pursue.

Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb said that if the conduct of the then judge was not good and not based on honesty then it would have impacts on the case. He inquired that why the said judge was terminated.

The chief justice remarked that as per the directions of the top court they had two options – either to decide the case on merit after viewing the evidence or remand it back to the trial court.

Azam Nazir Tarar said that it would be appropriate if the high court take a decision on merit rather than remanding the case back to the trial court. The NAB prosecutor, however, requested the bench to remand back the Al-Azizia Steel Mills case.

The court rejected the request of NAB and decided to hear the case itself on merit. The court also accepted the request of defence to withdraw the application against former judge Arshad Malik.

Giving arguments on case merit, lawyer Amjad Pervaiz said that Hussain Nawaz had sent the money to his father from abroad through the banking channel after four years of setting up Hill Metal Establishment. The amount was also showed in the tax returns in 2017.

He said that Nawaz Sharif had no connection with Hill Metal and Al-Azizia Steel Mills and he had never claimed their ownership. Sending money by sons to their father was not a crime, he added.

The lawyer said that the JIT had admitted that it didn’t get any proof regarding Nawaz Sharif’s connection with the two companies. He said it was the responsibility of NAB to prove benami transactions.

The chief justice said that still NAB had to prove four elements even if it was admitted that the property was owned by Nawaz Sharif. He questioned whether the documents pertaining to receivable salary of Nawaz Sharif from Al-Azizia Steel Mills were verified.

The lawyer argued that the accountant who prepared those documents, never appeared before the court to verify the documents. He prayed the court to accept the appeal of his client.

The court adjourned further hearing till next Tuesday.

Smog/fog to continue in plain areas of Punjab, KP, upper Sindh:PMD

Ali Ali

Thu, 7 Dec 2023, 10:11 PM

ISLAMABAD, Dec 07 (APP):Smog/fog is likely in plain areas of Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and upper Sindh at morning and night time during the next 24 hours, according to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD).

According to the synoptic situation, continental air was prevailing over most parts of the country.

A shallow westerly wave was likely to enter today evening/night.

Mainly cold and dry weather is expected in most parts of the country, while partly cloudy in upper districts.

During the last 24 hours, cold and dry weather prevailed in most parts of the country.

The lowest minimum temperatures recorded were Leh -10 C, Skardu -08, Gilgit, Astore -05, Gupis, Pulwama -04, Kalam, Srinagar, Anantnag, Shopiyan and Baramulla -03C.

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LESCO detects 288 power pilferers in a day

Ali Ali

Thu, 7 Dec 2023, 10:06 PM

LAHORE, Dec 07 (APP):The Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO) detected a total of 288 connections from where the customers were pilfering electricity in all its circles of five districts (Lahore, Sheikhupura, Nankana Sahib, Kasur and Okara) on the 89th day of grand anti-power theft campaign.

LESCO spokesman told the media here on Thursday that the company also submitted FIR applications against 288 electricity thieves, out of which 144 FIRs were registered in respective police stations, while 15 accused were arrested.

On the 89th consecutive day of the anti-power theft campaign, the spokesman added, large commercial consumers were also found involved in electricity theft and all of them were also disconnected and charged with a total of 345,911 units as detection bill amounting to Rs 11.583 million.

Apprising the media about some major power pilferers, he explained that LESCO charged detection units worth Rs 406,972 to an electricity pilferer in Naulakhha area of Lahore; Rs 235,690 detection bill to another customer stealing electricity in Raiwind; Rs 200,000 detection bill to a power thief in Saanda area of Lahore; and Rs 200,000 detection bill to a power thief in Shahdara Town.

During the 89 days of grand anti-theft campaign, the spokesman mentioned, the LESCO detected pilferage on 33,444 power connections and submitted 33,059 FIR applications against electricity thieves in the relevant police stations out of which 31,896 FIRs have been registered, while 15,672 accused have so far been arrested by the police. The LESCO has so far charged a total of 55,700,004 detection units worth Rs 2,181,732,250 to all the power pilferers.

FCCI hails opening of Business Facilitation Centre

Ali Ali

Thu, 7 Dec 2023, 10:02 PM

FAISALABAD, Dec 07 (APP):Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (FCCI) President Dr Khurram Tariq has welcomed and thanked Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi on inauguration of the first Business Facilitation Centre of Punjab.

In a statement issued here on Thursday, he termed it a single window facilitation centre. He said that at the centre, the business community could get NOCs and certificates of 20 different provincial departments under one roof. “It would facilitate and expedite local and foreign investment,” he said and added that six provincial chambers including FCCI would supervise this business facilitation centre.

He said that in the next phase, similar centres could be established in major industrial and commercial cities of the province including Faisalabad.