Young Pakistani readers shine at Oxford competition

Islamabad: Oxford University Press (OUP) here Friday announced the winners of the 9th Oxford Big Read (OBR), a prestigious global literary competition aimed at instilling a lifelong passion for reading among students.

The National Winners had the opportunity to compete globally with students from other OUP branches in Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico, Argentina, Peru, and India. The 2023 competition, which began on December 7, witnessed the participation from 1,142 students across Pakistan.

These young readers represented schools from various regions, demonstrating the widespread enthusiasm for reading in the country. The OBR featured three competitive levels tailored to different age groups: Level I (Grades 1–3), Level II (Grades 4–6), and Level III (Grades 7–9). Pakistani students won in two categories: Droshum Ali, a Grade 9 student from Aga Khan Higher Secondary School, Kharadar, Karachi, has been named Global Runner-Up in Level III. Anabia Imtanan, a Grade 6 student from Winnington School, Khewra, was awarded Global Runner-Up in Level II. These outstanding achievements showcase the incredible talent of Pakistan's young readers on the international stage.

OUP congratulates all participants for their hard work and dedication. The immense support from schools, teachers, and parents has played an integral role in nurturing these literary stars and helping them achieve remarkable success.