Rawalpindi, Divisional competitions of the first Punjab Music Competition were held at the Punjab Arts Council in Rawalpindi, featuring top singers from the region.

According to Punjab Arts Council, the competition drew participants who had clinched the top three positions from districts including Attock, Jhelum, Chakwal, Murree, and Rawalpindi. Notable attendees included Shazia Rizwan, Member of the Punjab Assembly, and Saqib Rafiq, President of the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry as well as a member of the Board of Management of the Punjab Council of the Arts, Rawalpindi. The event was also graced by Sajjad Hussain, Director of the Arts Council, along with other key officials such as Deputy Director Muhammad Shakoor, and Assistant Directors Muhammad Suleman, Sarfraz Khan, and Saqlain Mahmood.

During the event, the district-level winners showcased a variety of songs that earned enthusiastic applause from the audience. Member Punjab Assembly Shazia Rizwan commented on the government’s commitment to enhancing arts and culture, highlighting the importance of extracurricular activities alongside academic education. Saqib Rafiq, reflecting on the purpose of the event, spoke about the importance of promoting Punjabi culture and music. Sajjad Hussain mentioned that the selected talents are set to represent the division at the upcoming provincial competitions in Lahore.

The judges for the competition included Afzal Latifi, Nawaz Ali Hazravi, and Rubina Khanum. The winners of the divisional rounds were Muhammad Adeel, Haider Ali, and Nazakat Ali Shad, who won cash prizes of 40,000, 30,000, and 20,000 PKR respectively. The grand finale is scheduled to take place on June 23 in Lahore.