ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Pakistan Academy of Letters (PAL) is organizing national songs writing competition as part of Pakistan’s 70 years of Independence Celebration, aimed at rejuvenating patriotism in students across the Country.
Talking to the state-run news agency in Islamabad on Thursday, PAL’s Coordinator Hassan Abbas said students from matric to PhD were eligible to participate in the competition, and Pakistan Academy of Letters had started receiving applications from contestants for national songs writing competition. He said students might submit their consents by November 15.
PAL’s Coordinator said national cohesion, peace, brotherhood and mutual affection would be the basic themes of the songs to explore talent and involve younger generations in healthy activities.
“Our department held workshops in July under the supervision of Dr. Arshad Nishat, a seasoned poet and professor of Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU), and in which participants were trained regarding basics of poetry,” Abbas said.
Hassan Abbasi said the senior and prominent poets would be judges and their names would not be disclosed to ensure transparency. He said the first, second and third position holder would receive the cash prizes of Rs 20,000, 15,000 and 10,000 respectively.
The Ministry of Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage had already doubled the amount of funds for literary society to acknowledge writers and poets contribution, he added.
