KARACHI, July 8: Speakers at a meeting on Friday said that love for peace and nature were among a few of the things that were common among the peoples of Japan and Pakistan. They were speaking at the certificate distribution ceremony of the 66th batch of Ikebana classes organized by the Japan Cultural Centre. Later an exhibition of Ikebana arrangements prepared by the students was also inaugurated.

Former federal environment minister Shahida Jameel, who was the chief guest, said that one of the reasons for the popularity of Ikebana was that the people of both the countries loved beauty and nature.

She said that trees, flowers were very necessary for keeping the delicate environment in balance.

Ms Jameel said that if people did not care for the trees, flowers and nature, environment would suffer and it would lead to droughts, etc and eventually the entire humanity would face the consequences.

Earlier, Japanese consul-general, Soichi Nakano, surprised the audience by speaking in chaste Urdu.

He said that Ikebena was not merely the name of flower arrangements but it also propagated the message of love and peace among the people.

Mr Nakano, who has studied Urdu at the University of Karachi and has also, represented his country for more than 10 years here as a diplomat, urged the students to use Ikebana not only to decorate their surroundings but also to spread the message of love and peace, which was the real message of Ikebana.

Later, certificates were also distributed among the students while prizes were given to Shazia Ahmad, Sameen Javed, Sadia Rashid, Hajra Yunus, Aine Zafar and Noorul Ain Kamran.