Choose either PAF or PIA, SC tells Air Marshal Arshad
The Supreme Court has declared Air Marshal Arshad Mehmood Malik’s appointment as head of the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) “illegal”, saying he could not hold two posts at the same time. A three-member bench headed by Chief Justice Gulzar Ahmed asked Malik during the week to choose between serving in the Pakistan Air Force or as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of PIA.
Earlier, the SC had rejected Malik’s appeal against the Sindh High Court’s decision to stop him from performing any functions as CEO of the national airline until a final decision in the present case is made.
“Arshad Mehmood Malik should resign from the air force and permanently join PIA. Only one thing can be done, either work in PAF or PIA,” remarked the Chief Justice. The court noted that the national airline required a “permanent chairman” who can run it along professional lines and make it profitable. The court asked Malik to submit a definite answer by the next hearing which will be in the first week of March.
When Salman Akram Raja, representing the PIA’s Board of Governors told the court that former Air Marshal Nur Khan had also worked for the national carrier, the Chief Justice remarked that “they were big people and should not be compared to anyone”.
Justice Sajjad Ali Shah said that if the court accepted the advocate’s argument, stating that if “the union employees would not let PIA function unless there was the stick of the army”, then the government “should close all its offices”.
The SC also rejected PIA’s report about the mysterious sale of an Airbus plane owned by the national flag carrier in 2017, observing that it had only conducted a “paper investigation” into the matter.
A 10-day Culinary Art Turkish Food Festival begins
A local hotel in collaboration with the Embassy of the Republic of Turkey inaugurated a 10-day long Culinary Art Turkish Food Festival at the grand Zamana Restaurant of the local hotel which would end on 1st of March.
The visitors will be transported to the magical metropolis of Istanbul as accomplished Turkish Chefs from the enchanting Ciragan Palace in Istanbul will prepare the best of the Turkish Cuisine.
The hotel management is delighted to welcome Sous-Chef SerdarOngel, Chef de Partie. DavutKutlugun and Pastry chef and chocolatier extraordinaire ServetKanat, who are responsible for many of the superb meals at the Ciragan Palace Kempanski hotel in Istanbul, the only 17th century Ottoman imperial palace turned hotel in Turkey.
Turkish Cuisine is on the center stage with a wide variety of soups, mezze and kebabs which will be featured on the daily menu along with desserts and assortments. The sea food is also featured along with a live counter serving made to order shawarmas.
Birthday reception of Emperor of Japan
Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan, Matsuda Kuninori hosted a reception to mark the 60th birthday of the Emperor of Japan Naruhito, here at a local hotel during the week. Federal Minister for Energy Omar Ayub Khan was the chief guest on the occasion. A large number of diplomats, federal and state ministers and Senators attended the reception.
Omar Ayub, in his address on the occasion said relations between Pakistan and Japan are from cordial to excellent adding both countries have been cooperating closely with each other in various fields.
Omar Ayub further said bilateral relations between the two countries date back to 50s and 60s when the Japanese leadership visited Pakistan and vice versa and set solid basis for strong and durable cooperation between the two friendly nations. He said PTI government spearheaded by Prime Minister Imran Khan was all agog to further cement and promote relations with Japan.
Earlier the Ambassador of Japan expressed his wish to further strengthening bilateral relationship based on the introduction of Skilled Foreign Workers and Technical Intern System last year on top of the traditional economic cooperation.
He also expected more Pakistani people to visit Japan especially on the occasion of 2020 Tokyo Olympic & Paralympics.
Later, Ambassador Matsuda along with the distinguished guests, cut a cake to celebrate the first official birthday reception for His Majesty the Emperor Naruhito after the national anthems of Japan and Pakistan. 23rd February, the birthday of His Majesty the Emperor, is celebrated as a national holiday in Japan.
The Era of His Majesty Emperor Naruhito’s reign is called Reiwa. Japan celebrated the beginning of the new imperial era of Reiwa or “beautiful harmony” as new Emperor Naruhito ascended the Chrysanthemum Throne on 1st May 2019, a day after his father Akihito abdicated.