More than 100 candidates aged between 14 to 30 years participated in the First Punjab Music Competition organized by Punjab Arts Council in Murreee. The competition followed by the awards distribution ceremony was graced by Commissioner of Murree, Capt (Retd) Abdul Wahab as chief guest. Director Sajjad Hussain, Anam Khalid, Muhammad Ashraf, Muhammad Suleman, and Ahmed Raza were present on the occasion. Addressing the participants, chief guest Capt (R) Abdul Wahab praised the enthusiastic participation of the people of Murree in the musical event. He extended special appreciation to the heads of educational institutions and parents for their strong support in encouraging the children to participate in the competition. He said that Punjab Arts Council Murree has always played key role to promote art and culture in the province. The chief guest congratulated the administration of the Murree Arts Council for successfully organizing the music competition.

Director Arts Council, Sajjad Hussain, stated that the platform of the Punjab Arts Council plays a crucial role in promoting classical music. The Arts Council keeps the art of classical music alive among the new generation, and thanks to artists and connoisseurs, our halls remain vibrant. He added that the families who have rendered significant services in classical music hail from Punjab. These families have kept this art alive even in the modern era. The talent that emerges from competitions held across the province shines on the world stage. In the competition held in Murree, Qurat-ul-Ain Shehzad, Sawera, and Safiullah secured first, second, and third positions respectively. Judges Afzal Latifi, Nawazish Ali Hazrovi, and Rubina Khanum performed their duties diligently. The winners received prizes of 20,000, 15,000, and 10,000 rupees respectively. A divisional competition for the winners from district-level competitions in Attock, Jhelum, Chakwal, Murree, and Rawalpindi will be held on Thursday, May 30 at 1 PM at the Arts Council.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan