ISLAMABAD, Dec 25 (APP): The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has recalled its notification for holding Local Government Elections (LGE) on January 14 on indirect seats of District Councils, Municipal Corporations and Metropolitan Corporation of Sindh.
Lok Virsa celebrates Quaid’s Day, Christmas
ISLAMABAD, Dec 25 (APP): The National Institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage, Lok Virsa, here Friday celebrated the 139th birth anniversary of founder of Pakistan, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah with great fervor and festivity and also organized special activities to mark Christmas Day.
Maintaining its previous tradition, Lok Virsa, Ministry of Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage arranged the Cake Cutting Ceremony and Youth Painting Contest on the theme of “Quaid, the Great Leader” at Pakistan Monument Museum, adjacent to Pakistan Monument at Shakarparian.
Twenty five youth (students) of different schools and colleges of Islamabad/Rawalpindi participated in the contest and created beautiful paintings of the founder of Pakistan Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah depicting various stages of his life and struggle for freedom.
Special programs marking Christmas Day held at the Pakistan National Museum of Ethnology (Heritage Museum) were congregation of Christian community, Christmas cake cutting ceremony, erection of Christmas tree, distribution of sweets and gifts by Santa Claus, live folk musical performances and cultural diversity shows.
The Christmas activities were arranged by Lok Virsa in collaboration with Temple of Lord Church, New Shakrial.
Executive Director, Lok Virsa and eminent folklorist, research scholar and social activist Dr. Fouzia Saeed on the occassion hlighlighted the importance of celebrating Quaid-i-Azam Day and Christmas through a cultural perspective.
She paid rich tributes to the founder of Pakistan Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah for his untiring efforts and contribution in creating a separate homeland for the Muslims of sub-continent.
She also congratulated Christian community on their auspicious occasion.
She said “Christmas is a time for celebration and rejoicing. It is also a time to reflect on the message of Jesus Christ, the eternal message of love, peace and forgiveness”. Highlighting the role of Lok Virsa, Dr. Fouzia Saeed added “Lok Virsa is a national institution dealing with Pakistan’s rich cultural heritage.
It lives in the hearts of the masses, who are the real bearers of our magnificent cultural heritage. We always plan and present such programs and activities that create love, peace, harmony and solidarity in all classes of society including minorities. The today’s event is a step forward in this direction”.
The special performances rendered by Christian youth were a milli naghma “Hum sab aik hain”, Christmas welcome song and a cultural diversity show “Rhythm of Unity”.
A large number of people from all walks of life including Christian community attended the ceremony and enjoyed the thrilling performances and presentations rendered by the artists and musicians.
The two museums working under the administrative control of Lok Virsa, i.e. Heritage Museum and Pakistan Monument Museum also remained open throughout the day from 10 am to 7 pm and entertained the visitors.
In order to ensure maximum participation of the masses, fifty percent rebate on entry ticket of Heritage Museum for Pakistani nationals was also granted by Lok Virsa.
Quaid week celebrated at PNCA
ISLAMABAD, Dec 25 (APP): Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA)
here Friday screened the movie Jinnah featuring on the life of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad
Ali Jinnah as part of Quaid week being celebrated in connection with 139th birth
anniversary of Quaid-e-Azam.
The film features the life of Quaid e Azam and other freedom movement
leaders and the historical moments of making of Pakistan.
The ongoing Quaid week is an attempt to pay rich tributes to the father
of the nation Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah for his valuable contribution towards
creation of Pakistan.
Our younger generation needs to work hard by following the footsteps of
Quaid. Our youth has a great potential, they can make Pakistan prosperous by adopting
teachings of Quaid in letter and spirit, said Director General, PNCA, Muhammad Naeem
while talking to APP.
The PNCA has also displayed an exhibition “Raushni ka Safar” featuring
portraits and historical pictures of Quaid e Azam.”It will go a long way in creating
awareness among the masses about the achievements of our founder and his struggle in
making the country”, DG PNCA said.
The exhibition comprises photographs showing Quaid’s life, his family
members and various stages of Pakistan Movement. Many photographs feature
Quaid-i-Azam holding official meetings and attending functions after creation of Pakistan.
Photographs of the historical moment of Quaid addressing the first constituent Assembly on 14 August 1947 are also on display.
A large number of people from different walks of life including school
children, youth and personalities relating to art, culture and media attended the event.
COAS visits Afghanistan on Sunday
ISLAMABAD, Dec 25 (APP): Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif would visit Afghanistan on Sunday, a tweet by Director General Inter Service Public Relations Lt. General Asim Saleem Bajwa said here on Friday.
AIOU’s F.Sc practical exam to commence from Jan 4
ISLAMABAD, Dec 25 (APP): Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) would conduct practical examinations of its F.Sc program for Semester Spring, 2015 from January 4 to 15.
Days of despair, frustration gone; country’s future bright: President
KARACHI, Dec 24 (APP): President Mamnoon Hussain on Thursday said with the present government taking the country in the right direction, the days of despair and frustration had passed and Pakistan’s future was bright.
Mehfil-e-Milad held at PM’s residence
LAHORE, Dec 24 (APP): A Mehfil Milad-un-Nabi (PBUH) was held here at the residence of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif in Jati Umra on Thursday to show great reverence for the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and pray for the Muslims to regain their lost glory.
Central procession of Eid Milad-un-Nabi (PBUH) taken out in city
LAHORE, Dec 24 (APP): Central procession of Eid Milad-un-Nabi (PBUH) was taken out from Railway station with religious fervour and zeal, under the auspices of Central Committee for Celebrations of Eid Milad-un-Nabi (PBUH).
Dar for early operationalization of Nawaz Sharif Kidney Hospital
LAHORE, Dec 24 (APP): Federal Finance Minister Ishaq Dar on Thursday stressed the need for operationalizing the Nawaz Sharif Kidney Hospital (NSKH) in Swat at the earliest to ensure better health services to the poor kidney patients of Swat and its catchment areas.
Rangers powers extended on Sindh govt’s demand: Pervaiz
ISLAMABAD, Dec 24 (APP): Minister for Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage Senator Pervaiz Rashid on Thursday said that the federal government had extended the special powers of Rangers to continue operation in Karachi on the demand of Sindh government.