KARACHI, Oct 4: City Nazim Naimatullah Khan has said that Pakistan and Japan enjoy congenial friendly ties and Japanese are a great nation which encountered the odds with courage and boldness.

He was speaking at a painting and posters exhibition of Pakistani and Japanese children held at the Quran and Sunnah Academy (Markaz-i-Islami) in Federal B. Area Monday. The exhibition was organized by the Japan Cultural Centre, Consulate General of Japan, Karachi, Culture, Sports Wing, Community Development Department of the City Government and Karachi Japan School.

Some 1,700 Pakistani and Japanese children participated in the competition and 198 paintings were selected for the show. On the occasion, children from 14 primary and secondary schools were given awards, including City Nazim and Consul-General Awards.

Addressing the ceremony, Naimatullah Khan recalled that last year posters and paintings exhibition was organized at Frere Hall and now it has been shifted to Markaz-i-Islami. He said this Centre would help promote friendly relations between the two countries.

The City Nazim observed that in Pakistan best capabilities can be found in every section of life. There is enormous talent in Pakistani children and parents and teachers should encourage them.

He asked the winners not to lose courage and continue to strive with sustained spirit. Japanese Consul General Kanji Hanagata described children as future hope of the country and said their latent talents do come out, if they are given an opportunity of expressing themselves through competitions.

He praised the services of Japanese schools in Karachi and said they are serving well to bring children of two countries close to each other which would help cement the ties between Pakistan and Japan. -APP