Held at Usman Institute of Technology (UIT)
On 25th March 2010

     
     

The first Youth in Governance drama festival was held at Usman Institute of Technology (UIT) Karachi on 25th March, 2010.Judges for the plays were


a. Mr. Khalid Anam,a prominent T.V ,theatre and Radio artist .


b.Eng. Muhammad Ghazanfar Ullah, Professor, UIT.


c.Fawad Gillani, CEO.F.G. International Karachi


The program started with recitation of a few verses from the Holy Quran by a student of UIT. Dr. N. I. Khowaja, Director Projects, Transparency International  Pakistan gave an introduction of Transparency International Pakistan as well as details of the various YinG Projects currently being executed, for raising awareness amongst the youth against the evils of corruption.


The next speaker was Prof. Zubair Omer Siddiqui, Director Academics, UIT, who was happy to have this program organized at their university. He also said that UIT, has been often asked by different organizations for holding of programs at their auditorium, but he is reluctant to give permission as they wish to maintain their nonpolitical image. In case of Transparency International Pakistan however he was pleased to recommend holding of its program as Transparency International Pakistan has a clean and prominent name as a non political and non partisan non government organization of repute.


A total of four universities performed at the festival with different scenarios from our daily life that portrayed the impact of corruption .The first university to perform was Dadabhoy Institute of Higher Education, North Nazimabad Campus. The name of their play was ‘LAHASIL’ (the unattainable).The play depicted problems of young graduates on not being able to find jobs eventually succumb to evil thoughts and end up becoming merchants of death by making and selling spurious drugs. The play was well directed and choreographed.


The second to perform were the students International Relations department, Karachi University. Their play portrayed the thoughts of a young Pakistani who sees different Institutions involved in malpractices and how these actions are directly influencing lives of all Pakistanis and the image of our country. All the actors were talented and were able to convey the message to the audience.


The third performance started after the lunch break by Dadabhoy Institute of Higher Education, Main Campus. The play targeted the police department and the problems faced by the public. It was a well thought out, well written and well directed and acted play but the team had to be disqualified as the theme selected was directed at a government organization which was not permitted as par the rules which was conveyed to all participating institutions.


The fourth and the last performance was by Agha Khan University of Medical Sciences, This play depicted a different type of corruption that is the corruption of thought; the battle between the good and the evil. This team had made elaborate arrangements for enhancing and depicting their idea and was thus well received by the audience.


At the end the chief guest Prf.Dr.Waseem Akhter director UIT addressed the audience. He appreciated the efforts of Transparency International to improve the society and spread awareness against corruption. He also stressed that this struggle should not be limited to the extent of plays but should be spread out .After his address the prize distribution ceremony took place. The first prize was won by Dadabhoy Institute of Higher Education North Nazimabad Campus, second by Agha Khan University of Medical Sciences and the third prize winners were the students from Karachi University.