PESHAWAR, : The entertainment-starved youth of provincial metropolis were enthralled by quality rock music when Ali Azmat and Zeeshan Parwez performed in jam-packed Nishtar Hall on Saturday night.

The event was organised by local youth in collaboration with some private sponsors and Tourism Corporation of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The concert also featured performances by The Other`s — billed as `Pakistan`s youngest rock band`.

Ali Sultan, a ten-year-old musical prodigy, received loud applause from the responsive audience when he displayed his drumming talent. Zoya, the lead singer and guitarist of the band, awed her fans with her impressive vocals.

Zeeshan Parwez, the Peshawar-based Coke Studio famed talented musician, collaborated with Ali Azmat and mesmerised the gathering with his astounding keyboard and music synthesising skills.

Ali Azmat performed in Nishtar Hall after about two decades. The last time he performed in Nishtar Hall in 1989-90 with his band Junoon. The concert goers got their money`s worth when Azmat played their favourite numbers and made everyone stand up, chant and dance.

The organisers had also set up a large screen to air the Pakistan-Australia cricket match before the start of the concert. When the winning runs were scored the jubilant fans celebrated Pakistan`s victory and return of entertainment activities in Peshawar at the same time.

The youth termed reopening of Nishtar Hall, Peshawar`s sole cultural hall-cum-art gallery that remained closed for the last eight years, by the provincial government for cultural events and other healthy entertainment activities a good sign.

The Tourism Corporation of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in collaboration with the culture department has begun holding cultural and musical shows in different local languages under Mashaloona series.

Sheraz, a teenager at the concert, overjoyed with his favourite music said that such activities were much needed for the youth in Peshawar as they were bored with the dull environment.

Recently another famous musical band Strings performed in Peshawar and received a rousing response. “This trend shows increasing demand for such healthy activities,” said Ali, another youth.

The Peshawar youth have also been taking part in Battle of the Band and other such activities. The music bands Ismail and Junaid and Khumaryaan, performing in the city and elsewhere, not only exhibit their talent but also indicate a change in the music trends in the province.