Apologies for the detailed account, but I am documenting my experiences here for anyone facing similar issues during restoration projects.There hasn't been much to post.
During the last one and a half month, the workshop people have been working on a test fit and body panels alignment. Only recently the painter started working on doors.
The progress has been painstakingly slow. The workshop people were held up on Panels alignments first, thanks to @AdilFJ40 Bhai, and his visit with his FJ40 to the workshop, the panel alignment issue was resolved.
Photos:
Then they were held up for doors closure on test fit of the new weatherstrip for front doors, which I resolved during my visit. The weatherstrip being used is made in Thailand, die-cast to OEM specifications and shape. Bought it from Mahmood Autos Karachi, and same is available at Lahore Rubber Store on Montgomery Road.
I also bought a set from Chughtai Autos on Montgomery Road (Kaabli) which they said needs to be cut to reduce the length. I knew when I was buying it that it won't fit, but bought it for the sake of Denter to understand that the previously bought one is fine. Chughtai Autos were kind enough to refund fully upon returning it.
Finally I forced the Denter to re-fix the weather-strip properly (which he had installed left to right). After a lot of resistance, he relented. Then I asked him to fix the hook locations and with a bit of force the doors closed properly. Then ran into an article on ih8mud where many people were complaining of doors not closing due to new weatherstrips, and with the passage of time the problem resolved itself, as at the end of the day the foamy rubber compressed. Showed that article to the Mechanic and Denter and accepted the tight door closure on my responsibility.
Painter has started with the doors and the bonnet for surface preparation. Rear left door and the spare carrier were replaced due to damage caused by bent spare carrier
The front Disc and hub assemblies are already purchased. The Mechanic and Painter have agreed to complete paint job by end of April, so Mechanic can start the remaining works to complete the project.
Meantime, I am keeping a date-wise photo log for personal references 
