The English Speaking-Speaking Union of Pakistan (ESUP) recently held the National Public-Speaking Competition in which the six national finalists participated – two each from Karachi, Islamabad and Lahore. The eminent panel of judges – Mrs Pamela Tarshish, wife of the Deputy Head of Mission of the British Deputy High Commission in Karachi; Dr Shamsh Kassim Lakha, former rector of the Aga Khan University; Menin Roderigues, President and CEO of the Shamrock Communications Ltd and Naheed Irshaduddin, Honorary Consul of Denmark. Tooba Ahmed Shaikh of Lahore was declared the winner and Ahmed Nawaz from Islamabad the runner-up. Pamela Tarshish, as the chief guest, gave away the awards, prizes and gifts to the winners, judges and participants. The winner, if available, or the runner-up, will be sent by the ESUP to represent Pakistan in the ESU International Public-Speaking Competition to be held in May this year at Dartmouth House in London. Once the contestants participate, they become members of the prestigious ESU International Alumni. The winner of the IPSC gets an audience with Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II. Last year’s Winner was from China.
