In connection with World Press Freedom Day, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) and UNIC organised a speech contest with representatives of universities from four provincial capitals and the Federal Capital.
The best speeches selected in contests conducted in universities in these cities were invited to attend the final contest held in Islamabad. The theme of the speeches was the "Role of media in the eradication of poverty" - the theme of this year's World Press Freedom Day.
All students were from the Departments of Mass Communication of their respective institutions. Mr Ahmed Arbab Abid represented the University of Balochistan, Ms Sidra Rafiq was from the University of Karachi. The University of the Punjab was represented by Ms Ayesha Wajeeha, Mr Taimoor Khan was from the University of Peshawar, and Ms Samia Khan represented the Federal Government Margalla College for Women F-7/4. The State Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Senator Tariq Azim, graced the event as the chief guest.
Mr Absar Alam, Resident Editor of The Nation, Dr Khalif Bile Mohamud, Representative of the World Health Organisation (WHO), and Dr Sirajuddin Syed, Chairman of the Department of Mass Communicatin of Allama Iqbal Open University acted as judges.
The quality of top contestants was so close that the top two were requested to make additional one-minute presentations to finalise the ranking. As a result, Ms Sidra Rafiq of the University of Karachi won the First Prize. Ms Ayesha Wajeeha of the University of the Punjab got the Second Prize followed by Mr Taimoor Khan of the University of Peshawar at the third position.
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