KARACHI: The week-long Youth Festival organised by the Arts Council of Pakistan concluded here on Sunday with colourful performances with a stellar line-up of singers such as Ali Azmat, Sahir Ali Bagga, Natasha Baig and Wahab Bugti, among others.

Speaking on the occasion, Culture Minister Syed Sardar Ali Shah said Pakistan’s 64 per cent population is under the age of 30.

He said: “We need to make our policies as per their requirements. The festival has provided the youth belonging to middle classes with a platform to showcase their talent.

“We need to prepare our youth to counter issues such as extremism. Such activities must be arranged at school, colleges and universities. People think only doctors and engineers can achieve success. I think Atif Aslam and Hadiqa Kiyani are also successful individuals. One of our youngsters [participating in the festival] can become the next Rahat Fateh Ali Khan,” he added.

Giving a historical perspective of his address, the minister said when excavations at Mohinjo Daro took place the statue of a dancing girl was discovered from it, no weapon or any such thing.

Week-long festival ends at Arts Council

He lauded the efforts put in by the council’s president Ahmed Shah in promoting cultural activities and jokingly called him a democratic dictator.

Earlier in the day, awards were given to young boys and girls who participated in various competitions during the event.

In the painting category, the following were declared winners: Shahzad Jan and M Muslim (1st), Laiba Maqsood and Yasir Noor (2nd), Ifra Iqbal and Zarnaab (3rd).

Photography: Shahzad Ali (1st), Rashid (2nd) and Saad Arain (3rd).

English essay writing: Dhuha Alvi (1st), M Saud (2nd) and Eman Shaharyar (3rd).

Urdu essay writing: Iqbal Hussain (1st) , Barirah Butt (2nd) and Saima Ikhlaq (3rd).

Quiz: Muhammad Nasir (1st), Muhammad Amad Uddin (2nd) and Bisma Saad (3rd).

English declamation: Zahra Aziz (1st), Maryam Zahid (2nd) and Hafsa Tahir (3rd).

Urdu declamation: Saif Ul Rehman (1st), Hooria Noor (2nd) and Malaika Qureshi (3rd).

Instrumentalist: Wilfred Clinton (1st), Germeas (2nd) and Fiddler (3rd).

Theatre: Komal Infal Group (1st), Zee Group (2nd) and Alag and Heer Ranjha (3rd).

Theatre — solo: Zamarud Baloch.

Battle of the Band: Qirtaaz (1st), Yakeen (2nd) and Elan (3rd).

Singing: Sooraj Chand (special), Sultan Baloch (1st), Muhammad Minaam (2nd) and Wareesha (3rd).

Dance group: Deewana (1st), Sajan Hip Hop Crew (2nd) and DJ John (3rd).

Dance solo: Yousha Husain and Ali Ahmed Kazi (1st), Syed Zainul Abideen (2nd) and Ana Shah (3rd).

Published in Dawn, January 30th, 2023