classical singer and ‘pride of performance' winner Ustad Hamid Ali Khan along with his son, Wali Qasim of the “Raga Boys” band, put on a brilliant show at the Pakistan International School Jeddah – English Section (PISJ-ES) in an event organized to mark the 70th Pakistan Day Thursday. Pakistani Ambassador Ali Khan Sherzai was the chief guest on the occasion. Link Officer and Consul Akmal Saeed was also among those present at the show. Congratulating the gathering on Pakistan Day, Ambassador Sherzai in his speech urged all Pakistani nationals to “fulfill their commitment by striving for a democratic, prosperous and progressive Pakistan”. He distributed Cambridge Outstanding Achiever Awards to students and presented a souvenir to Khan. PISJ-ES staff member Imran Reza Khan read out a message from the Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari, in which he expressed appreciation for the efforts of PISJ-ES principal Sehar Kamran. As a tribute to his country, Khan began his act with “Aye Watan Pyare Watan” (Oh my sweet country) and “Hum Tera Aitbar Kar Baithe” (We did believe on you). Giving his first solo performance in Jeddah, Qasim began by singing a number from his latest album “Yeh Jan Lo”. The “Raga Boys” is composed of Niyab, Hassan, Wali Qasim and Inmam – Khan's four sons – and was formed four years ago. The band has recorded Pakistan's T-20 world cup cricket - 2010 song. Khan's blend of classical and semi-classical tracks kept the audience asking for more. He was accompanied by musicians Nader Hussain (tabla), Jawaid Faiz (dholak) and Farman Ali Jaffery (harmonium). Earlier, the evening began with the recitation of the Holy Qur'an by student Ammar Farooq followed by the national anthems of Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. Nursery students put on an impressive show comprising rhymes, songs and tableau. The show was compeered by students Adil Khan, Aisha Shaheed, Ammar Farooq and Sara Khan. Students enthusiastically participated in an exhibition “Gateway to Pakistan” that was held in the morning.
