ABBOTTABAD: Students of 21 educational institutions from across the country took part in the third All Pakistan Begum Ra’ana Liaquat Ali Khan Bilingual Declamation Contest 2023.

The Urdu and English declamation contest was held at Army Burn Hall College for Girls Abbottabad. The participating students exhibited their eloquence and oratory skills.

The panel of judges consisted of renowned academics and public speakers to evaluate the content, delivery and overall impact of the speeches delivered by girl students.

Most of the contestants mesmerised the audience with their coherent and compelling speeches, leaving the judges with the difficult task of selecting winners.

Students of 21 educational institutions from across Pakistan take part in event

In the preliminary round on the first day, the team of Army Public School and College Pasban, Rawalpindi, stood first, Jinnah College for Women, Peshawar, remained second and Army Public School and College FF Centre, Abbottabad, grabbed third position. Pakistan International School and Girls College Abbottabad remained fourth, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, stood fifth, Government College University, Lahore, won sixth position.

Aima Batool of Iqra University (English) and Ayesha Khan of Pak-Austria Institute of Applied Sciences and Technology, Haripur, (Urdu) were given consolation prizes.

After an intense competition in the final round on the second day in English speeches, the first individual position was obtained by Khansa Jawad of Jinnah College for Women, Peshawar, second by Anamta Shaukat of Government College University, Lahore, and third by Ammara Taif of Army Public School and College Pasban, Rawalpindi.

In Urdu speeches, the first individual position was obtained by Sadia Ghafoor of Government College University, Lahore, second by Army Public School and College FF Centre, Abbottabad, and third by Momina Ghaffar of Army Public School and College Pasban, Rawalpindi.

Ramisha Yasin (English) of University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, and Ayesha Farooq (Urdu) of Jinnah College for Women, Peshawar, were awarded consolation prizes.

The overall organiser of the event was Atia Jadoon, the head of Urdu department.

Brigadier Raza Mohammed Khan, the director of studies at Pakistan Military Academy Kakul, was chief guest on the occasion. He distributed prizes, trophies and certificates among the successful orators.

In his speech, he highlighted the importance of empowering women through such events.

Published in Dawn, October 21st, 2023