It was a big win for Pakistan when their team were declared winners of the first Asian Karl Popper Debate Championship and all three members of the team emerged the top speaker, runner-up and fifth. 

Zainab Shahid, aged 17, leapt out of her seat when Pakistan 2 was declared winner as her teammates Aleena Ali, 17, Murtaza Chaudhry, 18, and their coach Haider Khan cheered. They beat the Nepal 2 team in the grand finals which was held in Pattaya on May 18.

Noel Selegzi, Program Director of OSF Youth Initiatives presented the challenge trophy to teams Pakistan 2 and Nepal 2.

Earlier in his speech, he said: “You come from a wide range of countries – a wide spectrum from closed to open. This forum is to prepare you to discuss critical issues in a responsible manner. We see debate as a means to promote open society.

The top 5 speakers had 4 contestants from Pakistan:

1^st        Aleena Ali (Pakistan 2)                                   467 points

2^nd       Yondeen Sherpa (Nepal 2)                              466 points

3^rd        Zainab Shahid (Pakistan 2)                            464 points

4^th        Isha Raut (Pakistan 2)                                       459 points

5^th        Murtaza Chaudhry (Pakistan 2)                      459 points

http://ayf2012.netii.net/big-win-for-pakistan-at-first-asian-kpdc/