Jinnah of Pakistan

A singing prodigy

Sarah Francis, a 14-year-old British born Pakistani girl, hailing from Karachi, introduced her special number "Voice of Freedom" - a national song based on Quaid-e-Azam Mohammed Ali Jinnah's golden sayings unity, faith and discipline - here on Monday.

Drawing a source of inspiration from the sayings of the father of the nation, the young Francis, born in London presently on a visit to Pakistan to release her special number, has incorporated in her English language song portions of Mr Jinnah's speech, thereunder he said that "the success of our achievements will depend upon our unity, discipline and faith".

The song, introduced in Peshawar during a press conference held at the Peshawar Press club on Monday, begins with the recording of the Quaid-e-Azam's speech in which he had made these comments during a visit to the Islamia College, Peshawar, in 1948.

Sarah's music director Tim Rossell and manager Rosemary James, while speaking at the press conference, claimed that the song - bringing an anti-terrorism message - shot up the charts of the world's leading Internet company based in America.

They maintained that the song had risen the company from obscurity to number 13 in their pop charts within three weeks, passing Madonna's Lo Que Sienta La Mujer on the way challenging Elton John.

Federal ministry for culture invited Sarah to perform in Islamabad on March 23. She will perform in a live musical show at Shah Tehmas Stadium Peshawar on Monday night, being held in connection with the centenary celebration of the Frontier province.

She has been awarded a music scholarship in voice to a private boarding school and is privately trained by West End professional coaches who are well-known for mentoring many celebrity vocalists. "I want to be a singer", she replied to a question.

Mr Rossell said that young Sarah was introduced last year when she made her astonishing debut before a group of reporters and music lovers at a private concert. "Her natural command of complex singing techniques, a distinctive voice and a phenomenal vocal range of over three and a half octaves, earned her "A" category status from PTV", the director said.

He said that the singer showpiece is the aptly titled Beyond the Ranges, a monumental demonstration of vocal range, spanning three full octaves (37 semitones).

He claimed that Guinness World Records was considering Sarah and this song for a new world record.

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