Category: Islamabad

Beijing: Pakistan's Ambassador to China, Khalil Hashmi extended his warmest greetings to the people of China and readers of the Global Times on occasion of the Spring Festival.

"As we celebrate the joyous occasion of the Spring Festival, I extend my warmest greetings to the people of China and the readers of the Global Times. The Year of the Snake, a symbol of wisdom, resilience, and renewal, offers us an opportunity to reflect on the achievements of the past and look forward to a future of shared prosperity and collaboration," he said in his message of China's Spring Festival published by Global Times.

He said that the Spring Festival is not just a celebration of cultural heritage, but also a testament to the strength and harmony of the Chinese nation. Over the past decades, China's remarkable journey has been a source of inspiration for the world. It is during moments like these that we are reminded of the enduring values of unity, progress, and hope that the festival embodies.

For Pakistan, this celebration holds special significance as we cherish the iron-clad friendship between our two nations. Pakistan-China relations are a shining example of mutual trust, respect, and cooperation, built on a foundation of shared aspirations for peace and development, he added.

"On this occasion, I also wish to commend the Global Times for its invaluable contribution to strengthening this relationship. Through its objective and insightful reporting, the Global Times has played a pivotal role in enhancing global understanding of China's vision and fostering greater appreciation for Pakistan-China relations. The platform's ability to amplify the voices of developing nations and provide nuanced perspectives on global issues is truly commendable. Your efforts in bridging cultures and promoting dialogue are vital in today's world."

Ambassador Hashmi said that looking ahead, the Year of the Snake calls for a renewed focus on innovation, sustainability, and inclusivity. Pakistan and China are poised to further expand our cooperation in areas such as green development, digital transformation, and cultural exchanges. These shared goals not only strengthen our bilateral ties but also contribute to addressing some of the most pressing challenges of our time.

"As we step into this new year, I extend my heartfelt wishes for peace, prosperity, and happiness to the people of China and all those celebrating the Spring Festival around the world. May this festive season inspire us to work together with renewed vigour and determination toward a brighter, more harmonious future," he concluded.

Islamabad: Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf's (PTI) founding chairman Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi on Monday moved appeal to the Islamabad High Court (IHC) against their conviction in 190 million pounds case.

Advocate Khalid Yousuf Chaudhry filed separate appeals in the IHC and prayed the court to set aside the verdict of trial court in graft reference.

The petitioners took the position that National Accountability Bureau (NAB) exceeded from its powers in making this case.

They further claimed that the Accountability Court had announced the verdict against them in haste on the basis of incomplete investigation.

It said that neither the text of the agreement from the National Crime Agency was obtained nor the officials of NCA were involved in the investigation process.

The petitioners said that the prosecution has failed to present its full case. The appeals requested the Islamabad High Court to declare the conviction of the accused as null and void by the NAB court, and to acquit the founder of PTI and Bushra Bibi.

It may be mentioned here that Accountability Court Judge Nasir Javed Rana handed 14 years jail term to Imran Khan and seven year to Bushra Bibi while announcing its verdict on January 17, in aforesaid graft reference.

Islamabad: Renowned drama writer Arshad Chahal has expressed concern that audiences are losing interest in serious content that focuses on societal issues.

Talking to reporter on Monday, Arshad said that Iranian TV content is strong and has yet to gain popularity in the Pakistani industry.

He observed that audiences want to escape their problems and watch luxurious lifestyles on screen. However, he stressed that television's role is not only to entertain but also to inform and educate people.

Sharing his career journey, he stated that he started by writing a Punjabi novel, "Cheerhan Di Chaan", which was later dramatized by Pakistan Television (PTV). His novel earned him the Masood Khaddar Posh Award and Warish Shah Award from the Academy of Letters, he added.

Arshad Chahal highlighted that writing a drama is a serious task that requires extensive homework. He explained that writers must first decide on a subject, such as comedy or social issues and then develop a storyline with character details.

He noted that a writer can condense a story into a 50-minute episode or expand it into multiple episodes by adding character details and events.

Arshad Chahal differentiated between drama serials, which follow a story and soap operas, which focus on character development. He praised PTV for always following the story and concluding dramas in 13 episodes.

Commenting on Turkish plays, Arshad Chahal said that initial productions like "Fatima Gul" and "Ishq e Mamnu" were outstanding, but later soap serials had unnecessary details.

He advocated for the production of dramas that tackle societal issues, behaviors and solutions, stressing the need for responsible storytelling.

Islamabad: A delegation of the Pakistan Business Council (PBC), led by its Chairman Shabbir Diwan, met with Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan on Monday to discuss pressing issues and concerns of the business sector.

The delegation emphasized the importance of the cost of doing business in Pakistan and maintaining a tariff structure that avoids distortions in the industry and supports its growth,said a press release issued here on Monday.

They argued that there were concerns on energy prices for industry including gas and electricity while removing protection from industries was affecting their competitiveness.

They also suggested that the National Tariff Commission (NTC) could perform a crucial role in ensuring against dumping from other countries.

In response, the minister urged the PBC to submit written proposals, assuring them that their recommendations would be carefully considered during the tariff rationalization process and that the operation of NTC would also be strengthened.

The Minister further assured the PBC that the issues regarding energy prices had already been raised with relevant quarters.

Minister Jam Kamal Khan also informed the delegation that, for the first time, the Ministry of Commerce would hold sector-wise deliberations before forwarding tariff proposals to the Finance Division.

Acknowledging the challenges facing exports, the minister agreed that the facilitating industry is critical for achieving export targets.

He reaffirmed the government's commitment, as well as his own, to maximizing industry support to enhance trade.

During the meeting, the minister shared insights from his recent visits to Iraq, Cambodia, and South Korea.

He encouraged the business community to explore new trade opportunities in these countries, highlighting their interest in collaborating with Pakistan. 'These countries are undergoing massive development in various sectors, offering abundant opportunities for trade partnerships,' he noted.

The meeting ended on a positive note, with both sides agreeing to work together to address their highlighted issues and unlock the potential for Pakistan's exports.

Islamabad: Renowned drama writer Arshad Chahal has expressed concern that audiences are losing interest in serious content that focuses on societal issues.

Talking to reporter on Monday, Arshad said that Iranian TV content is strong and has yet to gain popularity in the Pakistani industry.

He observed that audiences want to escape their problems and watch luxurious lifestyles on screen. However, he stressed that television's role is not only to entertain but also to inform and educate people.

Sharing his career journey, he stated that he started by writing a Punjabi novel, "Cheerhan Di Chaan", which was later dramatized by Pakistan Television (PTV). His novel earned him the Masood Khaddar Posh Award and Warish Shah Award from the Academy of Letters, he added.

Arshad Chahal highlighted that writing a drama is a serious task that requires extensive homework. He explained that writers must first decide on a subject, such as comedy or social issues and then develop a storyline with character details.

He noted that a writer can condense a story into a 50-minute episode or expand it into multiple episodes by adding character details and events.

Arshad Chahal differentiated between drama serials, which follow a story and soap operas, which focus on character development. He praised PTV for always following the story and concluding dramas in 13 episodes.

Commenting on Turkish plays, Arshad Chahal said that initial productions like "Fatima Gul" and "Ishq e Mamnu" were outstanding, but later soap serials had unnecessary details.

He advocated for the production of dramas that tackle societal issues, behaviors and solutions, stressing the need for responsible storytelling.

Islamabad: President Asif Ali Zardari has extended heartfelt felicitations to President Aleksandr Lukashenko on his election for the 7th term as the President of Belarus.

The president expressed the hope that under his leadership, bilateral cooperation between Pakistan and Belarus will be further strengthened, a President's Office news release said.

The president conveyed his best wishes for the continued success of President Lukashenko and the well-being of the people of Belarus.