ISLAMABAD, Dec 23: On the fourth death anniversary of the 'Melody Queen' Noor Jehan, a private radio channel organized its '2nd Noor Jehan Award' function on Thursday to pay tributes to the legendary singer who passed away on December 23, 2000.

As many as 12 talented girls from different educational institutions of the twin cities participated in a singing competition organized by the radio channel at the Islamabad Club auditorium.

Asifa Iqbal Malik, a student of the Government Postgraduate College for Women, 6th Road, Rawalpindi, was adjudged the winner of the competition for her rendition of Noor Jehan's popular song Tum Jug Jug Jiyo Maharaj.

Asma Abrar Abbasi, a student of the Islamabad Model College for Girls, F-6/2, who sang famous Punjabi song Wey Soney Diya Kangna of Noor Jehan took the second slot, while Rida Naqvi, a student of Islamabad Commerce College for Women, F-10/3, stood third in the competition for presenting Saagar Roey.

Faryal Gohar, prominent actress, who was among the guests present at the function, gave away the prizes to the winners. The organizers made the best of the available resources to present the function in a befitting manner but at times, the audience were visibly irked by the lack of coordination between the singer and the musicians.

There were two dance performances on the songs of Madam Noor Jehan that were much appreciated by the audience. Ghazala Majeed of Bilqees College of Education for Women, PAF Chaklala, set the ball rolling as she presented one of the most popular numbers of the legendary singer, Chandni Ratain.

Other participants of the competition, besides the three position winners, included Wajeeha Fatima of the Fatima Jinnah University for Women, Rawalpindi; Huma Masood of Punjab College of Commerce, Islamabad; Nidda Sajjad of Air University, PAF Complex, E-9, Islamabad; Kiran Nasir of Islamabad Model College for Girls, F-10/2; Javaria Mumtaz of the Islamabad College for Girls, F-6/2; Sobia Sadiq of the Islamabad Model College for Girls, I-8/4; Nabeela Najam of Bahria Institute of Management and Computer Sciences, Islamabad; and Sadaf Murtaza of Margalla College for Women, F-7/4.

Shaukat Mirza, a prominent vocalist of Rawalpindi, Hina Siddiqui, another young and promising local vocalist, and renowned violinist Ustad Raees Ahmed formed the panel of judges for the competition.

Adviser to the Prime Minister on Women Development Nilofar Bakhtiar was the guest of honour on the occasion. Parliamentary Secretary on Environment Bushra Iqbal Sipra and Squash player Rehmat Khan were also present.