ISLAMABAD, Dec 4: /DNA/ – Caretaker Federal Minister for National Heritage and Culture Jamal Shah on Monday inaugurated National Music Academy (NMA) here at Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA).

Federal Secretary National Heritage and Culture Division Humaira Ahmed, Director General PNCA Muhammad Ayoub Jamali, Pakistan first Opera Singer Saira Peter, Music Director Stephen Smith, Zafar Francis, Chairman Sir Syed Memorial Society Syed Ahmed Masood, PNCA Board Member Hasan Raza, musicians and vocalist were also present on the occasion.

While addressing the ceremony, the minister highlighting the importance of National Music Academy said that it is very important to establish musical institution for youth and this academy specially created for them. He said that PNCA is the hub for the promotion of art and culture in federal capital.

He said that establishment of the academy in PNCA is an initiative of the National Heritage and Culture Division that will usher a new era of music industry in the country.
He said that a National Dance Academy would also be established at PNCA soon.

In her brief remarks, Opera Singer Saira Peter said that music is both art and science and it is her passion. It is her science background, knowledge of different communities, as well as the multicultural society she grew up in, that gave her a deeper understanding of Sufism and helped her find her voice, her niche – the Sufi Opera.

She also performed the songs live at Academy inauguration ceremony and got big applause from the participants.

The faculty for the newly established Academy would be comprised of Opera Singer Saira Peter as Honorary Director, Abida Perveen, Humaira Channa, Stephen Smith, Nadir Abbas, Shehbaz Ali, M.Aslam Violin, Javed Niazi, Babar Niazi, Shafqat Salamat Al, Salamat Ali and Raees Ahmed.

While the Friends of NMA would be comprised of Federal Minister National Heritage and Culture Jamal Shah, Zafar Francis, Chairman Sir Syed Memorial Society Syed Ahmed Masood, PNCA Board Member Hasan Raza and Amna Shah.

ISLAMABAD, DEC 4 /DNA/ – Former PTI chairman Imran Khan and Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi will be indicted in the cipher case on December 12.

Proceedings of the case were conducted by the Official Secrets Act special court judge in Adiala Jail.

During the proceedings, copies of the investigation report were shared with the suspects.

Imran Khan told the court he would call former army chief Gen (retd) Qamar Javed Bajwa as a witness, as well as a representative from the American embassy in Islamabad.

During the hearing, the former prime minister’s lawyers objected to the court proceedings. They argued that legal requirements were not fulfilled in the notification issued for the jail trial against Imran Khan.

They further said that until a fresh notification was issued, the proceedings could not move ahead.

Judge Abul Hasnat Zulqernain remarked that the high court’s divisional bench had declared the notification of appointment of the judge as valid.

After hearing the arguments of both parties, the court distributed copies of the investigation report among the suspects. The court also expressed displeasure over the late arrival of Imran Khan’s lawyer.

“I have been waiting for an hour and a half, but the lawyer did not arrive,” the judge said.

Lawyer Usman Gul replied that he reach the court late due to fog.

Also Read: Cipher case trial to be conducted on merit: judge

Shah Mahmood urged for stating the next hearing at 9am. The judge said he would if the former minister told his layers to reach the court on time.

PTI lawyers Babar Awan and Shiraz Ranjha were present during the hearing, while the prosecutor was Syed Zulfiqar Abbas Naqvi.

At the previous hearing, Judge Abul Hasnat Zulqernain had remarked that the proceedings in the cipher case would be conducted on merit.

During that hearing, Qureshi said they should be told whether the trial was being conducted under the Official Secrets Act 1923 or 2023, adding that there were never any security threats to him as he used to travel in his car all by himself.

When his production orders were issued, the jail administration violated them and didn’t produce him, Qureshi maintained, adding that the administration didn’t submit the record on his bail application.

Also Read: Cipher case trial hearing to be held in Adiala jail tommorow

He further said that attempts were being made to conduct a trial in this case that has no basis. Even the president of Pakistan disowns the amendments to the Official Secrets Act, he said, and requested that President Alvi be summoned to court.

Qureshi said the president should take an oath in court and tell whether he approved this amendment or not. Imran

Judge Abul Hasnat Zulqernain told the suspect that one of their objections had been cleared as the media and the public were present in the hearing today. “You were not produced in court due to security concerns,” he told Qureshi.

“Your and Imran Khan’s trial cannot be separated, as this case is interlinked,” he added.

The judge remarked that no provision of the recently amended Act applied to this case, adding the trial was being conducted under sections 9 and 5 of the Official Secrets Act.

“We will proceed on merit,” Judge Hasnat said.

Former prime minister Imran Khan told the court that he ordered an inquiry into the cipher being the prime minister. He claimed that efforts were being made to save some powerful people who were involved in the case.

“We have been locked up like goats, while Nawaz Sharif has been brought here from abroad,” Khan added.

ISLAMABAD: PTI lawyer Babar Awan said on Monday that former prime minister Imran Khan wants an “ex-army general and a US envoy” to be summoned by the special court hearing the cipher case.

According to Awan, Imran said this during the case proceedings at Adiala Jail, where he is currently incarcerated. “Imran Khan has said that the US embassy representative should be called and he also took the name of a former general,” he said during a media talk.

While the PTI lawyer did not name the former military officer, media persons who attended the cipher case hearing today said Imran mentioned ex-army chief retired General Qamar Javed Bajwa.

The cipher case pertains to a diplomatic document that the Federal Investigation Agency’s charge sheet alleges was never returned by Imran. The PTI has long held that the document contained a threat from the United States to oust Imran as prime minister.

Imran and ex-foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, who is also behind bars, were first indicted in the case on Oct 23. Both had pleaded not guilty. The trial was being held at Adiala Jail and four witnesses had alre­a­dy recorded their statements, with the fifth being cross-examined when an Islamabad High Court division bench termed the government’s notification for a jail trial “erroneous” and scrap­ped the entire proceedings.

As a result of the judgement, the special court started a fresh trial. Last week, Special Court Judge Abual Hasnat Zulqar­nain ruled that the trial proceedings would continue at the Adiala Jail but in an open court.

However, on Saturday, jail authorities prevented media people from entering the jail, with many local and international journalists outside when the hearing began. After the hearing ended, it came to light that three reporters from different TV channels were allowed to witness the proceedings, but that too after the hearing had ended and the prosecutors had already left the courtroom.

During the hearing, Qureshi had urged the special court to summon President Dr Arif Alvi so he could testify before the court whether he had assented to changes in the Official Secrets Act, 1923.

In August, President Alvi had denied approving changes to the Secrets Act — under which the cipher trial is being held — and the Pakistan Army Act while the law ministry had rebuked his statement and asked him to “take responsibility for his own actions”.

Today, the special court ruled that Imran and Qureshi would be indicted in the case again on December 12.

The hearing
Judge Zulqarnain resumed hearing the case at the Adiala Jail. Family members and lawyers of the incarcerated PTI leaders were in attendance along with special prosecutor Zulfikar Abbas Naqvi and Rizwan Abbasi.

Six members of the media were allowed to attend the proceedings.

At the outset, the judge expressed displeasure at PTI lawyer Usman Gul for not arriving in court on time. “The next hearing should begin on time and witnesses be produced in court,” he directed, adding that both the sides should mutually decide a time.

Judge Zulqarnain then instructed the parties to check if all the documents in the case record were present so that the same could be distributed.

Here, the PTI lawyer inquired about the law under which the case challan was being distributed, saying that the proceedings could not proceed until the law was explained. “A clear notification should have been issued by the law ministry first,” he added.

The PTI counsel also lamented that international media was not allowed to attend the hearing.

For his part, the FIA prosecutor said the law ministry’s notification was clear and the case hearing was being conducted in accordance with that.

“I have to follow the law,” the special court judge said. He highlighted that the public and media were given access to the court under Article 352 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.

“All these [media persons] are here under Article 10A of the Constitution,” the defence lawyer contended, but the judge insisted that the same was the result of the implementation of Article 352.

At one point during the hearing, Imran’s lawyer Gul argued that legal requirements had not been fulfilled in the notification issued for the jail trial. Meanwhile, PTI’s Babar Awan said the proceedings could not continue until a new notification was issued.

However, Judge Zulqarnain said the IHC division bench had declared that the notification pertaining to special court judge’s appointment was correct. He further stated that these arguments would be written in today’s order of the court.

Subsequently, copies of the case record were distributed in the court.

The judge then adjourned the hearing till December 12 and said charges would be framed against the PTI leaders on the same day. The developments were confirmed to Dawn.com by media persons who were allowed to attend the proceedings.

‘PTI fully prepared for elections’
In a media talk after the hearing, Awan said the PTI and public were fully prepared for elections.

“The PTI will contest from every seat and our candidates will contest from every seat. No other party is as prepared for elections as we are,” he asserted. “The Constitution says and people believe that the way forward for Pakistan is to close these fictitious cases and trials,” the lawyer said.

Awan went on to say that people should be given the chance elect leaders of their choice. “No other way will work,” he added.

When asked about the details of today’s hearing, the lawyer said the case were merely based on “two points”.

“There is no case, this is just an attempt to stop Imran and PTI from participating in the upcoming polls,” he claimed. Awan lamented that despite registering numerous cases against the ex-premier, Imran’s house staff were still being called for testimonies.

“I have heard some more people are being prepared, but I want to tell all of them that the people of Pakistan have moved forward now,” he said, adding that he had expressed the same to Imran during their meeting today as well.

The lawyer further stated that foreign media, international observers and bloggers should be allowed to attend the cipher trial as the case had an “international dimension”.

Pakistan champions peaceful diplomacy, embracing Islamic principles of love, tolerance in relations with neighbors: Speakers

Pakistan advocates for peace with its neighboring countries, guided by the principles of Islam that promote peace, love, and tolerance.

Distinguished speakers emphasized these values at the Interfaith Harmony Conference on Sunday.

Lahore: The conference, led by Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi, President of the International Interfaith Harmony Council, Chairman of Pakistan Ulema Council, and Prime Minister’s Special Representative on Religious Harmony, saw contributions from leaders such as Sardar Ranjit Singh, Father James Chinon, Syed Ziaullah Shah Bukhari, Sohail Ahmed Raza, Pastor Emmanuel Khokhar, Pandit Kashi Ram, Rana Shahid, Maulana Aslam Siddiqui, Syed Ali Raza, and others.

The conference further welcomed diplomatic representatives from the United States, Turkey, and various other countries, fostering international collaboration and understanding.

The religious scholars and leaders said the pursuit of peace is not a sign of weakness. Both the government and the people of Pakistan deeply respect the sanctity of all religions, extending a warm welcome to Sikhs, Hindus, Buddhists, and followers of other faiths.

They said the ongoing events in Palestine are a tragic assault on humanity, constituting a genocide against the Palestinian people. All religious communities join in unequivocal condemnation of the egregious cruelty and brutality unfolding in Palestine. “We earnestly implore for an immediate and imperative ceasefire in the region,” they added.

The conference’s collective statement underscored that Islam rejects any notion of coercion or conversion. Engaging in such acts is not only contrary to Islamic teachings but also violates the laws of Pakistan, warranting legal action against the perpetrator.

In the present context, they said fostering dialogue among followers of diverse religions is essential. Pakistan warmly embraces Sikh pilgrims during the commemoration of Baba Guru Nanak’s birth anniversary. Let us designate 2024 as a year dedicated to peace, love, tolerance, and interfaith harmony, promoting unity and understanding among all.

Ashrafi emphasized that Sikh pilgrims are encouraged to visit Pakistan and experience the love extended to them in this country.

Regarding the challenges faced by the Christian community in Jaranwala, collective efforts were made to seek forgiveness, he said adding that traveling to Pakistan should pose no concerns; the government has actively facilitated the establishment of temples and churches across the country. He reiterated that Pakistan is inclusive for people of all religions and welcomes visits at any time.

Ashrafi expressed the state’s commitment to ensuring maximum convenience for both Muslims and non-Muslims, suggesting the use of “Muslims and non-Muslims” instead of the term “minority.”

He affirmed that the Constitution of Pakistan safeguards the rights of all citizens, irrespective of their religious affiliations. Leaders of various faiths share equal rights granted by the constitution, he added.

Emphasizing Pakistan’s commitment to peace, he highlighted that advocating for peace is a strong stance, not a sign of weakness.

Expressing collective sorrow for the tragic events in Palestine, where 20,000 individuals, including 70 percent of children, have lost their lives, Ashrafi underscored that war and terrorism find no endorsement in any religion.

He said the state of Pakistan prioritizes peace for regional stability, advocating for diplomatic resolutions to address the challenges in Kashmir and Palestine.

Expressing a desire to live harmoniously with neighboring nations, Ashrafi noted the Kartarpur border’s opening as a gesture toward peace. Furthermore, he clarified that Islam does not support forced marriage or conversion, emphasizing the principles of choice and tolerance within the faith.

LAHORE, Dec 3 /DNA/ – The Ambassador of Italy, Andreas Ferrarese met with the Chief Minister Punjab Mohsin Naqvi in which matters pertaining to the enhancement of culture, tourism and mutual trade sectors were discussed.

CM Mohsin Naqvi underscored that time has come to transform mutual relations between Pakistan and Italy into a beneficial economic partnership. The relationship will receive a new dimension with the exchange of mutual trade and cultural delegations.

We are commencing One Window Operation for the investors in Punjab. All NOCs will be available under a single roof through the One Window Operation.

There are ample investment opportunities available in Punjab for the Italian investors. CM Mohsin Naqvi thanked the Italian Ambassador on the support extended by Italy for GSP Plus Status.

The Italian Ambassador underlined that the ongoing cooperation with the Punjab government in various sectors will further be promoted.