SWABI: Speakers at the prize distribution ceremony of an art exhibition in Ghulam Ishaq Khan (GIK) Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology said on Sunday that art and painting had the potential to transform thoughts into reality and productivity.

The three-day competition was organised by Naqsh Arts Society, GIK Institute, and both art lovers and students from all over the country displayed their skills.

The participation of judges from the Pakistan National Council of the Arts was a boost for the exhibition which helped the students tohave abreakinthe shape of co-curricular activities.

The categories were: sculpture, textile design, face painting, glass painting, graffiti, t-shirt design, maxed media, portrait and various other categories. In each category there was a special prize for the winners.

The speakers said that expression through painting actually touched the heart and spread out something positive to the world, especially to art lovers.

`The essence of art is the discovery and it could be transferred into a real sense tools to learn and discover the resources we each have within us,` said RoohaWajid of Pakistan Institute of Fashion and Design.

Amna Liaquat of Punjab University of Art and Design said that none of the great artists knew what they might discover in future but it was the continuous work and love of art which took them to the world of greatness.

LG POLLS: Candidates in various union councils have been making last ditch efforts to persuade and influence rivals to withdraw their nomination papers in their favour. May 5 is the last date for withdrawal of the candidature and on the following day symbols would be allotted.

In Batakara union council, Mohammad Farooq of the Right Bank Colony had urged Naveed Khan to withdraw nomination papers in his favour. The jirga members visited Naveed`s residence, but he said that he should be given some time.

`I would make another attemptonMonday(today), Mr Farooq told this correspondent.

Ishanul Haq contesting election for general seat from Bamkhel union council said that he was approached by PTI politicians, but he told them that withdrawal was not possible because the jirga members had decided about his candidature in a public meeting.

Fahad Shah, a PTI candidate for general seat from Saleem Khan union council, said that he along with other party colleagues had made such efforts. `I hope we would succeed while giving due place to the rivals,` he said.