KOHAT: The local youth and students showed their talent by taking part in national songs and painting competitions at Jawan Hai Pakistan festival here on Monday.

Saima and Safeena won the competition of national songs while Javeria Kanwal and Sufian grabbed first position in the painting contest held at the hall of Bacha Khan Library.

Assistant Commissioner Farrukh Atique was chief guest on the occasion.

In the national songs group, Saima and Safeena, Mohammad Hasnain, Syed Adil Shah, Noorul Huda Shah, Yasir, Mohammad Zeeshan, Mubariz Khan, Imran Ahmed, Maria Batool, Ali Paracha, Bilal, Yasir Hameed, Khairul Inaam, Ammara and Robina Mushtaq took part.

The students a local school got applause from the audience by presenting an excellent tableau.

The role of judges was performed by Mohammad Anwar Khan Qadri, Naresh Chand, Raja Sarhadi and Seen Seen at the songs competition.

Saima and Safeena clinched first position, Mohammad Hasnain stood second and Maria Batool remained in the national songs competition.

The judges announced Rs20,000 for the first position holder, Rs15,000 for the runner up and Rs10,000 for the third position holder.

In the painting competition, 78 participants were selected in the final round wherein known artist Liaquat Ali Khan, Shakeel and Adeel performed the role of judges.

The participants from age 12 to 18 were placed in one group while those between the age of 19 and 29 were placed in the second group.

The judges declared Javeria Kanwal first, Tehreem second and Haseeb third in the first category. In the second category, Sufian, Jasia Rehman and Mohammad Saeed were declared first, second and third respectively.

Special prizes were given to Atfal Shahi and Usman in the first and second categories, respectively.

In the debate competition each participant were awarded Rs1,000 by the judges.

ZAKAT COMMITTEES: The administration formed 85 Zakat committees in the district on Monday.

The formation of committees was announced by District Zakat Committee Chairman Ishtiaq Ahmed and District Zakat Officer Badshah Khan.

They claimed that honest people were appointed heads of the committees to distribute money among the poor people in their respective areas.

Talking to journalists, they said that the committees were formed in every area of the district including Gahri Banoorian, Koocha Rehmania, Janana Mills, Meri Colony, Merozai, Tappi, Nai Abadi, Junglekhel, Charbagh, Naway Kallay, Kaloo Cinna, Muhammadzai, Ustarzai Payan, Ustarzai Bala, Marai Payan and Landi Kachai.