SKARDU, June 24 An art and speech competition about Japan was held at the Government High School No.1, here on Thursday.

The programme was aimed at promoting creativity among the talented students, said a press release.

Students from different schools in Skardu and its adjoining areas participated in the competition, organised by the Embassy of Japan in collaboration with the Aga Khan Development Network and the Directorate of Education Baltistan as part of a series of programmes held in various cities, including Gilgit, Islamabad in connection with the Japan-Pakistan Friendship Fest.

Students of 12 to 14 years of age drew pictures with themes of their own choice related to Japan and Pakistan.

A panel of judges comprising noted artists from Gojal, upper Hunza, Nadir Aman and Mubashir Hassan along with a representative of the Japanese embassy judged the creativity of young artists.

Similarly, two students from each school of the same age group competed in the speech competition in Urdu language with a topic of their own choice related to Japan and Pakistan. The panel of judges for the speech competition comprised of Prof Hashmat Kamal, Dr Muzaffar Hussain and a representative from the Japanese embassy.—Correspondent