By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)
Senator Sarmad Ali, President, All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS), inaugurated the second edition of the Karachi Festival of Books and Libraries (KFBL) in a graceful ceremony at the Habitt City on December 29.
The first of its kind event in the country is being produced by Jumbo Publishing with the collaboration of the English-Speaking Union of Pakistan (ESUP) while Jang Group was its media partner. The National Book Foundation (NBF) and the National Library of Pakistan (NLP) also supported the initiative which had been launched with great fanfare by the President of Pakistan last year.
Speaking on the occasion, Senator Sarmad highlighted the virtues of book reading and urged the people not to abandon the passion of reading books despite the invasion of digital gadgets.
“It is universally accepted that books change our lives and enhance our wisdom and vision. We must continue reading books to keep progressing in life and achieving our goals,” he remarked.
“My mission is to promote book reading culture and play my due role in this direction at the national level. He suggested for designating and celebrating a National Library Day as well as National Book Reading Day every year,” Senator Sarmad, who heads Senate of Pakistan’s Library Committee, observed.
He was of the opinion that mothers can play a vital role in motivating their kids and, instead of gifting them toys and mobile phones, they should give them packs of books to generate their interest in reading from a young age.
Senator Sarmad backed the proposal of holding similar Festival of Books and Libraries in Lahore, Islamabad and other cities of Pakistan, besides continuing to do it in Karachi, assuring his full support to such events which, he reckoned, will revive the reading culture.
Upon arrival, he was warmly welcomed by the KFBL Co-founders, Aziz Memon and Syed Khalid Mahmood. The opening session was also attended by Murad Ali Mohmand, Managing Director, NBF, Hasnain Shah, Assistant Director, NLP, besides former cricket umpire, Mahbboob Shah, and renowned hotelier, Azeem Qureshi.
Aziz Memon, International President of the English-Speaking Union (ESU), announced that the KFBL will now be expanded to Lahore and Islamabad, with the collaboration of various stakeholders, next year as he felt that such events were vitally important for improving the mental health of the nation.
Syed Khalid Mahmood, who conducted the proceedings, informed the audience about the salient features of the 2nd KFBL 2025 which will continue until tomorrow (Tuesday). More than a dozen sessions, to be participated and moderated by leading personalities, are planned to be held during the two-day festival.
All the speakers appreciated the KFBL Co-founders for putting together a big event and such a major venue.
