The historic Quaid-e-Azam House Museum resonated with youthful voices and spirited oratory as it hosted the grand finale of the annual inter-school declamation contest for Karachi schools. Organised jointly by the Board of Management of Quaid-e-Azam House Museum, the Jinnah Society, and the Karachi Council on Foreign Relations (KCFR), the event marked the culmination of a highly anticipated competition that has become a fixture on the city’s academic calendar.

This year, as many as 34 schools from across Karachi took part in the contest. Following a rigorous two-day elimination process, a panel of judges comprising Akber Merchant and Sara Daniyal shortlisted ten outstanding schools to compete in the final round. The finalists included The City Intermediate College, DHACSS Phase-VIII, The Mama Parsi School, Habib Girls’ School, Aga Khan School (Morning Shift), Graceful Grammar Higher Secondary School (Campus 1), New-Day School, Ida Rieu School for the Blind and Deaf, BVS Parsi School, and Al-Murtaza School.

The grand finale was judged by a distinguished jury consisting of senior journalist Ghazi Salahuddin, renowned artist and founder of the Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture Noorjehan Bilgrami, and founder of the Jinnah Foundation Naseem Merchant. Their presence added intellectual depth and gravitas to an already compelling contest, as students demonstrated remarkable confidence, clarity of thought, and command over language.

After an engaging and closely contested final round, three students emerged as winners. Syeda Fatima Zehra of The Mama Parsi School secured the first position, while Raween Abid from Aga Khan School (Morning) claimed second place. The third prize was awarded to Tousif Ahmed of the Ida Rieu School for the Blind and Deaf, whose performance earned special appreciation from both the audience and the jury. The winners were presented with trophies and prizes in recognition of their exceptional achievements.

The declamation contest was originally conceived by the Jinnah Society and has been held successfully for over two decades. Following the transfer of Quaid-e-Azam House Museum to provincial ownership, its administration came under the Sindh Government. Four years ago, a formal Board of Management was established through the joint initiative of Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah and the then Corps Commander Karachi, Lieutenant General Humayun Aziz. Subsequently, a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Sindh Government, the Jinnah Society, and KCFR to ensure the effective management and programming of the historic site.

The Board of Management comprises 18 members, including representatives from the Jinnah Society, KCFR, philanthropists, prominent citizens, and officials of the Sindh Government. Its principal office-bearers include Liaquat H. Merchant as Senior Vice Chairman, Ikram Sehgal as Vice Chairman, and Commodore (Retd) Sadeed Malik as Secretary General. The positions of Chairman and Co-Chairman are held ex-officio by the Chief Minister and Chief Secretary of Sindh, respectively.

At the heart of these efforts lies a broader mission: to promote the vision, principles, and ideals of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah as part of a sustained nation-building exercise. Quaid-e-Azam House Museum has thus been designated not merely as a heritage site, but as an institution of nation-building. In this spirit, events such as the declamation contest are designed to actively engage Pakistan’s youth – more than half of the country’s population is under the age of 30 – and acquaint them with the historical struggle that led to the creation of Pakistan.

By encouraging young participants to reflect on the country’s founding ideals and aspirations, the initiative seeks to inspire a generation committed to peace, prosperity, and progress. In doing so, it aims to fulfil the shared dreams of both Allama Muhammad Iqbal, the poet-philosopher, and Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, whose vision continues to guide the nation’s journey forward.