KARACHI, July 15: City Nazim Naimatullah Khan was presented 1,000 origami cranes, symbolizing peace wishes, by Japan's consul general in Karachi, Mr Kanji Hanagata.

According to a statement by the Japan Cultural Centre of the Consulate General of Japan on Thursday , a brief ceremony was held in this connection here, which was attended, among others, by Mr Yuji Miyamoto, the Director of Japan Cultural Centre, Prof Asifa Ataka, representatives of the students of Ikebana classes, staff of the centre and the District Coordination Officer, Mir Hussain Ali.

These elegant paper birds were prepared by the people who had visited the Ikebana exhibition organized by the JCC. Mr Hanagata conveyed the wishes of all those who participated in making the cranes.

The origami cranes were presented to the nazim with wishes of peace for the city, regional stability, world peace and eternal friendship between Japan and Pakistan, the statement added.

It pointed out that in Japan the elegant origami cranes had since long been regarded as popular symbols of longevity, and it was believed that by folding 1,000 paper cranes one's hopes and desires were fulfilled.

The statement said that the massive participation of the local people reflected a strong desire for peace and friendship on their part. It was stated that in Japan, Ikebana promised peace and tranquillity and origami cranes were believed to fulfil such hopes.