Islamabad: The All Pakistan Annual Naat Competition, a significant event jointly organized by Radio Pakistan and Pakistan Television in connection with Eid Milad-un-Nabi (SAWW), took place at the Pakistan National Council of Arts in Islamabad today. Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, Sardar Muhammad Yousaf, graced the event as the chief guest, alongside Director General Radio Pakistan Saeed Ahmed Shaikh, other dignitaries, and a large audience including Radio employees and the public.
According to Radio Pakistan, the competition featured multiple categories based on age and gender. In the boys' category for participants below fifteen years, Muhammad Talha Hashmi from Islamabad achieved the first position, followed by Muhammad Faizan from Balochistan and Syed Ahmad Ali Shah from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. For the girls in the same age group, Hoorain Fatima from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa secured the top spot, with Sakina Batool from Gilgit Baltistan and Kanza Razzaq from Punjab taking second and third positions, respectively.
The competition also included categories for participants aged 15 to 25 years. In the boys' segment, Ali Zain from Punjab claimed the first position, while Hamza Ashraf from Islamabad and Syed Ehsaan Ali Shah from Sindh finished second and third. Meanwhile, Tanzeela from Sindh triumphed in the girls' category, with Areeba Ghulam Nabi from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Ayesha Bibi from Punjab following.
Minister Sardar Muhammad Yousaf, in his address, highlighted the importance of Naat in connecting the younger generation with Islamic teachings and fostering love for the Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (SAWW). He also stressed the need for promoting peace, mutual respect, humanity, and interfaith harmony as per the Prophet's teachings.
Both Radio Pakistan and PTV were commended by the Minister for their role in organizing the event and maintaining this tradition for over forty years. Director General Radio Pakistan, Saeed Ahmed Shaikh, expressed gratitude to Secretary Information and Broadcasting and MD PTV Ashfaq Ahmad Khalil for their support and pledged ongoing dedication to the competition.
Cash prizes were awarded to the winners, with one hundred thousand rupees for first place, seventy-five thousand for second, and fifty thousand for third. Special prizes of twenty-five thousand rupees were also given to all participating Naat Khawans. The event concluded with prayers for the nation's peace, prosperity, and development.