Category: Islamabad

Islamabad:The three-day Theatre Training Workshop for students and professionals concluded at the Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA) on Thursday, equipping participants with valuable insights and practical knowledge about the performing arts.

The participants were registered online, with a total of 35 students enrolling for the workshop.

Renowned theatre expert and PNCA Program Organizer, Muhammad Waqar Azim, moderated the sessions.

During the inaugural ceremony, PNCA Director General, Muhammad Ayoub Jamali welcomed the participants and reaffirmed the council's commitment to promoting theatre and the performing arts.

He emphasized that PNCA will continue organizing such workshops to support and nurture artistic talent in Pakistan.

The first day of the workshop focused on the evolution of theatre worldwide, the history and development of theatre in Pakistan, and the social significance of drama.

The sessions also covered universal acting principles, their application across different media, and essential techniques for actors to enhance expressions and emotions.

On the second day, participants were trained in the role of body language in character development, with practical exercises to improve their performance. They also explored voice modulation, including the use of voice with and without a microphone.

The sessions introduced various theatrical approaches, including realism, symbolism, and abstract drama, to help actors shape their imaginative and creative abilities.

The final day covered the technical dimensions of theatre, including lighting, set design, sound effects, musical effects, and costume selection. Prominent playwright and satirist, Aslam Mughal, along with Director of Bhitai Arts Council, Rafiq

Essani, shared their insights and experiences with the participants.

As a culmination of their training, the participants staged a short play highlighting the issue of illegal migration, performed on the closing day.

At the closing ceremony, PNCA Performing Arts Division Director Samiullah Baloch, senior actor and playwright Aslam Mughal, and Director of Bhitai Arts Council Rafiq Essani distributed certificates among the participants, appreciating their enthusiasm and commitment to theatre.

Islamabad:Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Thursday said the government was determined to eradicate polio and appreciated the administration of all provinces for the timely identification of the polio cases and for the recent decrease in their incidence.

He was chairing a review meeting regarding the anti-polio campaign.

The prime minister said since September 2024, the downward trend in the polio cases was evidence of the effectiveness of the anti-polio campaign. The decrease in polio cases in all provinces was made possible due to the untiring efforts of the administration of the provinces, he added.

The prime minister said the complete erasure of polio from the country became possible only with the cooperation between the federal government and provinces.

He was informed about the progress made in the anti-polio campaign.

The anti-polio campaign was continuing in the provinces with great momentum.

The meeting was told that at the start of 2025, clear reduction was seen in the polio cases in the affected districts of Balochistan, Sindh and northern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

All aspects of the polio campaign were being continuously monitored with an IT dashboard.

Coordinator to the Prime Minister on National Health Services Dr. Mukhtar Ahmad Bharath, Senator Ayesha Raza Farooq and high level officials of departments concerned attended the meeting.

Islamabad:The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) reminds international travelers bringing mobile devices into Pakistan to fulfil their tax obligations as required by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) for device registration under the Device Identification, Registration, and Blocking System (DIRBS).

To facilitate international visitors, PTA provides a temporary registration option for short-term stays.

However, travelers intending to stay beyond 120 days or seeking continuous mobile network access must formally register their devices and pay the relevant taxes mandated by FBR said a news release.

International Travelers are strongly urged to complete device registration through DIRBS and settle FBR tax obligations promptly to avoid service disruptions.

For comprehensive information on tax rates and the registration process, travelers are directed to the official FBR website

https: //www.fbr.gov.pk/mobile-devices-regularization-dirbs/51149/131261.

It may be further added that PTA emphasizes that these taxes are solely imposed and collected by FBR. Compliance with these tax requirements ensures uninterrupted access to local mobile networks and adherence to national regulations.

PTA remains dedicated to fostering a transparent and efficient telecommunications environment while supporting regulatory compliance.

Islamabad:Member National Assembly of Pakistan Muslim League-N, Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry on Thursday urged the leaders of Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf (PTI) to support the democratic system.

Political agitation and stubborn attitude adopted by PTI members could create hurdles for economic progress and development in the country, he said while talking to a private television channel.

Weak policies of PTI's last regime had created serious difficulties for the people, he said.

The government under the leadership of Shehbaz Sharif was making sincere efforts to revive the economy and improving the living standard of the poor, he stated.

In reply to a question about dialogue with the opposition, he said the PTI should show political maturity and to engage in talks.

To a question about PECA, he said, there was a dire need to prevent the spread of misinformation and protect institutions from fake news.

Islamabad:Senate Chairman Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Thursday expressed profound grief and sorrow over the passing of former Supreme Court judge, Justice (R) Faqir Muhammad Khokhar.

In his statement, Gilani paid tribute to Justice Khokhar, describing him as a competent and honest legal professional who served the judiciary with dedication and sincerity. He emphasized that the late judge's contributions to the legal field would always be remembered.

Extending his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family, the Senate Chairman prayed for the departed soul's eternal peace and for the family to find strength and patience during this difficult time.

Islamabad:The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday served notices to the Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) on a petition seeking to stop the Central Superior Services (CSS) exam before issuance of the previous year's results.

The court sought the relevant record from the commission and adjourned the hearing till tomorrow.

IHC's Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani heard the case petitioner Hamza Javed and others filed. The petitioners adopted the stance that they participated in the CSS exam in February 2024, but the commission has not yet issued a result.

They further said that the FPSC has announced a new exam without the issuance of the last year's result. They said that the commission usually issues results within eight months of the exam but this time it was not issued even after the passage of 11 months.

They prayed the court to stop the commission from new exam before the issuance of the previous result.