LAHORE: Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Friday approved the laptop scheme for students.

“The Punjab government is investing for the development of knowledge economy and ICT education,” she said while chairing a meeting on higher education sector reforms in Punjab.

She pledged to build an international standard university in every district, and college at tehsil level. “The school and higher education sector in Punjab needs a complete revamp.”

She was also briefed that more than 650,000 students were studying in private and public sector universities in Punjab. Of them, 44 per cent are boys and 56 per cent girls.

LAHORE: The First All Punjab Music Competition 2024 reaches Bahawalpur by completing its journey in Faisalabad, Sahiwal and Multan divisions despite facing threats, gaining province-wide popularity, appreciation and success.

The number of registrations in the contest has crossed 15,000 and the contests include students from colleges and universities, individuals from music families and young music aspirants from all parts of civil society. It is providing opportunities to the participants to perform in front of live audiences which can enhance their confidence and stage presence. Additionally, the prizes to the winners and runners-up could further incentivise participation and help support the emerging talent in pursuing their musical aspirations.

Speaking to Dawn, Punjab Council of the Arts (PCA) Executive Director Dr Syed Bilal says the music contest in Punjab is an amazing platform to discover new talent and celebrate the rich musical heritage of the region.

“With Punjab’s vibrant culture and deep-rooted musical traditions, such an event can attract a diverse range of participants showcasing various genres, from traditional Punjabi folk music to contemporary fusion styles.

Mr Haider says the All Punjab Music Competition has completed its journey in 11 cities and three divisions in which more than 3,000 people have participated so far. The walk-in registration has also been opened for individuals of the eligible age in the music genres of folk, Sufi, classical, pop and qawwali. The winners of the district contests are competing for the divisional positions in the second phase. Finally in the third phase, the competition among the divisional winners will help discover the best voice of Punjab from among the participants of these province-wide competitions.

In the district level, the deputy commissioners and commissioner at the divisional level are attending the prize distribution ceremonies in aim to patronise this landmark initiative.

During the competition, a threat from banned terrorist outfit Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), South Punjab chapter, has been circulating on social media for the last couple of weeks to stop the ongoing music competitions by the PCA.

In a statement issued on Twitter by Umar Muawiya, the head of TTP South Punjab, wrote that if the ongoing music competitions would not be stopped immediately, the Punjab government would have to face serious consequences.

In addition, different religious organisations have also warned to stage protests against the competitions. But the Punjab government did not issue any statement about this matter.

Published in Dawn, May 11th, 2024