The Higher Education Commission (HEC) Pakistan organised the national round of Inter-University Bilingual Declamation Competition 2023 held to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan.
Federal Minister for Law and Justice Mr Azam Nazeer Tarar was the chief guest of the final round while Member National Assembly Ms Mehnaz Akber Aziz was the guest of honour. Chairman HEC Dr Mukhtar Ahmed, Executive Director HEC Dr Shaista Sohail, Advisor HEC Engr Muhammad Raza Chohan, Vice Chancellors, faculty members, and a large number of students attended the event.
The students from different universities across the country selected after a rigorous evaluation process through competitions held at regional level delivered their speeches before veteran judges on the themes, “My Constitution – Guarantee of My Freedoms” in English, and “Mera Aien – Meri Azadiyon ki Zamanat” in Urdu.
In the English contest, Mr Uzair Javed from Mohi-ud-Din Islamic Medical College (MIMC) Mirpur AJK won the first position, whereas Reemal Imtiaz from COMSATS (Wah campus) secured the second position and Maryam Zahid from University of Karachi (UoK) the third position.
Syed Waqar Haider Zaidi from Greenwich University secured the first position, followed by Fakiha Asif from Sardar Bahadur Khan Women University (SBKWU) Quetta and Syed Kamal Ahmed from University of Punjab (PU) Lahore who respectively secured second and third positions in the Urdu competition.
The winners of the competition would be invited to make speeches at a Parliamentary Convention in Islamabad. Cash prizes for the top three finalists will also be awarded by the National Assembly of Pakistan.
In his keynote address, Federal Minister Mr Azam Nazeer Tarar emphasised the role of political leaders and teachers in nation building. He highlighted that the Constitution is a sacred document that laid down the foundation for a democratic society of Pakistan.
“Since its independence, the Pakistani nation has passed through multiple ups and downs, however it is the Constitution that kept the nation united and provided it with guidance necessary to combat challenges,” he underlined. Reading out its preamble, the Minister said the Constitution guarantees the rights of every citizen irrespective of their religious, social and cultural backgrounds as well as reveals their obligations.
Ms Mehnaz Akber Aziz appreciated HEC for organising the competition. She said that the greatest way to observe the golden jubilee of the constitution was to involve the youth in the celebrations. She apprised the audience that the Government has established seven chairs in seven regions of the country for research on the Constitution of Pakistan, wherein students across the country would be involved by utilising their critical thinking abilities. She advised the students to be aware of the misuse of social media and the exploitation of youth for political gains.
Chairman HEC Dr Mukhtar Ahmed congratulated the winners. He affirmed Pakistan was founded in the holy month of Ramadhan and it will keep on prospering. He underlined that the nation has to be cautious of the mistakes made in the past.
In her welcoming remarks, Dr Shaista Sohail praised the students for their well-delivered speeches. She highlighted that public speaking could be difficult, but it is a vital skill for future leaders. She said that through the power of words followed by positive actions, they could bring about positive changes in society.
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