Send back Singad
Pakistani and Indian activists are demanding that the body of another Indian fisherman who died in Karachi jail on July 24 be sent home at the earliest. The body of the fisherman, identified as Bala Naran Singad from Sonari village, Una taluka of Gujarat, is being kept at the Edhi morgue in Karachi.
Mustafa Gurgaze of the Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum has been in contact with lawyers on both sides of the border with information about this tragedy, urging them to connect with each other in order to expedite the official correspondence between the authorities of both the states.
Sources say that the Indian High Commission officials were informed of Singad’s death as late as August 28. The High Commission has since sent a communication to the Indian government to confirm his nationality. This procedure, which should take at most a few days, often takes months.
Activists have long demanded better facilitation in such situations to prevent such delays, which take place routinely on both sides. When prisoners from India or Pakistan die in the other country’s jail, it usually takes over a month to complete the formalities required before the body can be sent back.
Pakistani journalist honoured in India
Pakistani journalist Reema Abbasi, former coordinator of Aman ki Asha, has been honoured as the best literary personality of the year at the Fifth Rajiv Gandhi Excellence Awards held in New Delhi recently.
Reema Abbasi has been honoured for her recently launched book, ‘Historic Temples in Pakistan: A Call to Conscience’ (Niyogi Books, 2014), that strives to document pluralism, conscience and humanity in the face of an unrelenting onslaught from the militant right wing. The book features photographs by Madiha Aijaz, and a forward by the prominent Indian journalist Jawed Naqvi.
Pehchaan, an NGO focused on nurturing the girl child, organised the well-attended event.
Aalishan Pakistan’ Lifestyle Exhibition in New Delhi
The Trade Development Authority of Pakistan is set to hold ‘Aalishan Pakistan,’ the second edition of ‘Lifestyle Pakistan’ at two large halls in Pargatti Maidan, New Delhi, from September 11-14, 2014.
Showcasing a vast variety of top class Pakistani products, from textiles and garments to furniture, engineering goods, handicrafts, spices, jewelry, marble and services sectors, there will be over 350 stalls and 150 expected participants, including high profile brands such as Bareeze, Sana Safinaaz, Chen One, Khaadi, Al Karam and Gul Ahmed.
Some 600 Pakistani traders are set to travel to India for the big event that will provide Pakistani entrepreneurs with a platform and the opportunity to expand their markets.
The main purpose of such events is to showcase Pakistan’s best quality exports in India and “build on the efforts of the governments of Pakistan and India to normalise trade between the two countries,” says TDAP Chief Executive S.M. Muneer, noting that there is a trade potential of billions of dollars.
Plans for the event include meetings with Indian importers, panel discussions and sessions on trade and business between the two countries in addition to musical evenings, an art show at the Lalit Hotel – allowing young and upcoming Pakistani artist to advertise their work – and fashion shows by designers like Faiza Samee, Shamaeel, Deepak Perwani, Chen One, Kayseria and Bareeze, and members of the Fashion Pakistan Council. Designer wear acclaimed brands like Sana Safinaz will be exhibited at ‘Couture lounge’. Food arrangements will feature Pakistani cuisine prepared by renowned Pakistani chefs like Bundu Khan among others.
Background classical music at the events will be provided by NGO Tehzeeb, while chosen brand ambassadors are the high profile Meesha Shafi, and award winners Shehzad Roy and Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy. Students of the Asian Institute of Fashion Design (AIFD) have designed the official TDAP stall.
The Indian Commerce Ministry, Indian Federation of Commerce (FICCI) and India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) are cooperating in the organisation of this event. This trade event is important to help normalise trade policies between the two countries and is an important step in the right direction, say organisers
