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                        <title>The Express Tribune</title>
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                        <description>The Express Tribune keeps you up to date with all the latest happenings from Pakistan and across the world!</description>
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			<title>Do we still want to read?</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2606124/do-we-still-want-to-read</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2606124/do-we-still-want-to-read#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 03 May 26 04:08:22 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Rabia Khan]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category><category><![CDATA[Entertainment]]></category><category><![CDATA[Art and Books]]></category><category><![CDATA[T-Magazine]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[Reels and nonstop social media, with shrinking attention spans and overload, are pushing books to the margins]]>
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				<![CDATA[&ldquo;So please, oh please, we beg, we pray, go throw your TV set away, and in its place you can install a lovely bookshelf on the wall.&rdquo; &ndash; Roald Dahl

Every year on April 23, the world observes World Book Day, dedicated to celebrating books, authors, and the enduring power of reading. Yet, beyond the symbolic gestures and occasional tributes, an uncomfortable question lingers: in an age dominated by screens, are we slowly losing our relationship with books?

From the earliest days of human civilisation, reading and storytelling have been central to how societies understand themselves and preserve their identities. Long before modern books, stories were passed down orally, carrying history, culture, and wisdom from one generation to another. With the advent of writing, these narratives found permanence, as seen in ancient works, which reflects humanity&rsquo;s timeless desire to record experiences and seek meaning.

Across centuries, reading has remained more than a skill; it has been a bridge between past and present, allowing individuals to access ideas, emotions, and knowledge beyond their immediate world. At its core, humanity has always been driven by stories, because beyond survival, people seek connection, understanding, and a sense of belonging and it is through reading that these stories continue to live.

In the past, particularly during the 1990s, reading was a natural and encouraged part of childhood. Children eagerly read comics like Enid Blyton, Archie Comics and Urdu magazines such as Naunehal, which were not only entertaining but also culturally familiar and widely accepted by families. Reading was seen as a healthy habit, and parents often gave children the time and freedom to explore books.

In contrast, today&rsquo;s generation appears more distant from reading. Many children are reluctant to pick up books at all, and those who do often gravitate toward unfamiliar or globally popular content such as Harry Potter books, Japanese anime-based stories, humorous series like Horrid Henry, Captain Underpants, or something from the genre of horror. It is as though what is trending on their screens might influence their choice in reading. While these are not inherently negative, the disconnect lies in the lack of guidance and understanding. For many parents, these titles feel alien or inappropriate, creating a gap between generations.

More importantly, the issue is not what children read, but that reading itself is no longer a widely nurtured habit. Where earlier generations were immersed in books, today&rsquo;s children are more immersed in screens. Reading, once a shared and celebrated activity, has become increasingly rare.

Mustafa Quraishi, a veteran bookseller who has been running a bookstore in Islamabad for nearly 45 years, observes that reading trends have changed significantly over time. According to him, English novels, self-help, history, and biographies remain among the most sought-after genres among grown-ups. However, a noticeable decline in reading began around 2015, after which the market increasingly tilted toward marketing and self-help books. He points out that while some children still engage with reading, their preferences have shifted toward globally popular content such as Jujutsu Kaisen and other comic-based series. More concerning, he notes, is the growing dependence on short-form digital content: &ldquo;People now rely on 10-second reels, without even knowing the stories or ideas behind them&mdash;because they don&rsquo;t read.&rdquo;



Quraishi also highlights a cultural gap, where international authors dominate readership while Pakistani writers remain largely overlooked. Emphasising the role of institutions, he stresses that parents play a key role in building reading habits, but schools must also step up by promoting reading festivals and literary activities instead of focusing solely on routine events.

A similar concern was shared by Muhammad Hafiz, who has been running a bookstore for over 23 years. He said clearly, &ldquo;Hardly anyone reads books anymore.&rdquo; According to him, most customers now only come for coursebooks and stationery, while general books are rarely bought. He believes one major reason is that children are given mobile phones at a very young age. &ldquo;Instead of books, they are given screens,&rdquo; he said. He also added that because of this, people are moving away from original and authentic knowledge, as they prefer quick and easy information instead of reading in depth. His words paint a clear picture&mdash;reading is disappearing, and books are being replaced by screens.

Fiza Ali, teacher in Islamabad, says that parents play a decisive role in shaping a child&rsquo;s relationship with reading. Long before classrooms and curricula, it is the home that introduces a child to the world of stories. A child who grows up seeing books as a natural part of daily life is far more likely to develop a lasting reading habit. When parents read, discuss stories, or simply make books accessible, they create an environment where curiosity thrives.

Man is a storytelling animal, the only creature on earth that tells itself stories to understand what kind of creature it is. After all, beyond basic needs like food and security, what we ultimately seek is a story. In a way, this is our very nature. From the sun-baked cuneiform tablets on which we discovered the Epic of Gilgamesh, the world&rsquo;s first known work of written creative literature, to the reading fever of the eighteenth century and beyond, human history is marked by an enduring engagement with narratives in written form. This represented an outlandish departure from the more archaic oral tradition, where memory alone carried the burden of preservation.



Despite this millennia-long relationship between readers and writers, the bond now appears to be in a precarious state. And this is a global phenomenon. Firstly, we are consumed by smartphones: The average person today spends nearly seven hours a day staring at a screen.

For Gen Z, the figure rises to nine hours. A recent article in The Times notes that modern students are projected to spend up to 25 years of their waking lives scrolling on screens. Correspondingly, global (Programme for International Student Assessment) PISA scores, widely regarded as the most reliable international measure of student ability, have begun to decline. Compound this with the AI glut and widespread internet connectivity, and we face a severe short attention span problem: How come then a person will be willing to spend hours and days with books? The consequences are stark: low sales. According to a 2022 report, half of all books published by Penguin Random House reportedly sell fewer than 12 copies. And, of course, we risk becoming less informed, less democratic, less creative, and more brutal.

In Pakistan, the situation is arguably worse, despite rising literacy rates. According to the World Population Review, the top three countries in terms of books read annually and hours spent reading are the US (17 books, 357 hours), India (16 books, 352 hours) and the United Kingdom (15 books, 343 hours). Pakistan, in contrast, ranks among the lowest three, with only 2.6 books read per person annually and 60 hours spent reading. This lack of reading is so widespread that statistics aren&rsquo;t even necessary; lived experience speaks louder than any report. Just ask your friends and family when they last read a book from start to finish.

Even a cursory scrutiny unfurls problems along two self-reinforcing dimensions: On the demand side, the public increasingly lacks the inclination to read. Shrinking attention spans, limited exposure to quality writing, and the absence of cultivated literary taste all contribute to weak demand. On the other side, the supply side: The quality of writing is also affected. With such limited demand, writing is rarely seen as a viable career, forcing writers to axe their energy elsewhere. The rise of AI has further catapulted the formulaic, MFA-style slop writing. Further, the broader literary ecosystem remains malnourished: poignant criticism is scarce, literary circles are often gatekept and elitist, and publishers, pestered by low demand and high costs, are reluctant to take risks on new writers. Marketing strategies and institutional support for authors are also notably weak.

We need to rethink all of this. The fundamental questions remain: how do we contend with the cognitive offloading effects of AI? What gaps exist in our curricula that fail to nurture readership? How can we reform our literary circles and strengthen the culture of criticism? Lastly, what exactly should the government, civil society, and the public do in this reading crisis?



This broader decline is also reflected in everyday experiences. Bookshop owners note that customers increasingly visit stores with a singular goal: to purchase exam-related materials rather than books for leisure. As one bookseller observed, &ldquo;People come for notes, not novels anymore.&rdquo; Similarly, teachers report that students often rely on summaries instead of engaging with full texts, highlighting a growing inability or unwillingness to read deeply.

A senior teacher, Shahida Ahmed said, &ldquo;Ten or fifteen years ago, students were more engaged with books. Today, their attention is divided, mostly because of digital distractions.&rdquo;

At the heart of this issue lies a fundamental misunderstanding, particularly among children and young readers. Many perceive reading as something confined to school, an obligation tied to exams rather than an activity associated with enjoyment. This perception strips reading of its true essence. Literature, across cultures and generations, has always been a source of escape, imagination, and emotional connection.

For many readers, the relationship with books begins on a deeply personal level. Before the rise of the internet, books often served as the first gateway to imagination. They offered comfort, joy, and a sense of discovery. For some, they even shaped life paths, inspiring careers and creative pursuits. Reading was not merely about gaining knowledge&mdash;it was about experiencing different worlds.

This is precisely what the theme of this year&rsquo;s World Book Day &ldquo;Reading for Pleasure&rdquo; seeks to highlight. Beyond academic benefits, books possess a unique ability to connect us with lives beyond our own. Holding a story from another time or another part of the world creates a sense of wonder that few other mediums can replicate.

Muhammad Khizar, a student from grade 6 said, &ldquo;Books help me relax. When I read, I feel disconnected from everything else. I think more students would read if they found the right book.&rdquo;

Reading for pleasure is rooted in connection. It may be a connection with a character, a storyline, or an imagined world. Through these connections, readers find joy, understanding, and often reassurance. Books remind individuals that their experiences are shared, that their emotions are valid, and that they are not alone.

Representation plays a crucial role in strengthening this connection. When readers see their own realities reflected in stories, literature becomes more meaningful. Expanding narratives to include diverse voices and experiences not only enriches literature but also invites more people to engage with it.

However, the responsibility of reviving reading culture does not lie with individuals alone. Educational institutions must move beyond rote learning and actively encourage reading as a habit rather than a task. Schools should create spaces where students explore literature freely, rather than limiting reading to prescribed texts. Teachers must inspire curiosity, not just deliver content.

Families, too, play a significant role. In homes where reading is valued, children are more likely to adopt the habit. Simple acts&mdash;such as keeping books accessible or discussing stories&mdash;can have lasting effects. At a societal level, libraries and public reading spaces must be revitalised. Community initiatives, book fairs, and reading circles can help restore the collective experience of reading.

Ultimately, however, the decision to read remains deeply personal. In a world filled with distractions, choosing to pick up a book is an act of intention. It is a decision to slow down, to think deeply, and to engage meaningfully with ideas.

World Book Day, therefore, should not be reduced to a symbolic celebration. It should serve as a reminder&mdash;a moment to reflect on what we are losing and what we stand to regain. Because books are not just objects; they are tools of thought, imagination, and connection.

In the end, the question is not whether books still matter. It is whether we are willing to make space for them again.

For a society that stops reading does not merely lose its stories; it risks losing its ability to understand itself

.

The writer is a teacher and freelance contributor and can be reached at rabiayousufzai26@gmail.com

All facts and information are the sole responsibility of the writer]]>
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			<title>7 American Thrillers You Must Read At Least Once</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2516332/7-american-thrillers-you-must-read-at-least-once</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2516332/7-american-thrillers-you-must-read-at-least-once#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 16 Dec 24 07:34:13 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Magazine Desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[T.Edit]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2516332</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Crime, passion, and betrayal will keep you hooked from start to finish.]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[American literature has given the world an array of iconic thrillers that blend sharp wit, gritty realism, and psychological tension. From the hard-boiled detective stories of the 1930s to modern-day crime epics, these works explore the darkest corners of human nature, often against the backdrop of a corrupt society. Classic American thrillers like The Great Gatsby and The Big Sleep have set the bar for the genre, weaving intricate plots and unforgettable characters that keep readers on the edge of their seats. Here, we present seven must-read American thrillers that showcase the genre&rsquo;s evolution and enduring power to captivate.


1. The Maltese Falcon (1930) by Dashiell Hammett

Private detective Sam Spade finds himself tangled in a high-stakes game involving a valuable golden statuette. Along the way, he encounters liars, murderers, and shady characters who always seem to be hiding something. Hammett&#39;s terse and direct writing style laid the foundation for modern detective fiction, painting a world where corruption, greed, and violence are never far away. This novel&#39;s labyrinthine plot is as captivating as its famous film adaptation.

2. The Postman Always Rings Twice (1934) by James M. Cain

Frank Chambers, a drifter, embarks on a passionate and deadly affair with Cora, the wife of a cafe owner. Together, they plot to kill her husband in a twisted tale of love and guilt. Cain&#39;s blunt, straightforward writing amplifies the psychological tension between his characters. This gripping noir novel, with its themes of crime and desire, has inspired multiple film adaptations, cementing its place as a classic in American crime fiction.

3. The Big Sleep (1939) by Raymond Chandler

Private detective Philip Marlowe is hired by General Sternwood to investigate a blackmail scheme involving his youngest daughter. But what starts as a simple case soon spirals into a web of murder, betrayal, and family secrets. Chandler revolutionized the detective genre with his poetic, sharp prose and memorable character of Marlowe&mdash;cynical, yet morally grounded. Set in a corrupt and corrupting Los Angeles, The Big Sleep remains one of the quintessential American noir stories.

4. The Grifters (1963) by Jim Thompson

Roy Dillon, a small-time con artist, finds himself caught between two dangerous women: his manipulative mother and his seductive lover. As his scams unravel, so do the dangerous consequences of his choices. Thompson&#39;s dark and suspenseful writing delves deep into the human psyche, capturing the disillusionment and moral decay that characterize this compelling thriller. It&#39;s a story of manipulation, betrayal, and a twisted kind of love.

5. The Black Dahlia (1987) by James Ellroy

In a chilling narrative based on a real-life murder, two detectives, Bucky Bleichert and Lee Blanchard, investigate the brutal slaying of Elizabeth Short, dubbed the &ldquo;Black Dahlia.&rdquo; The investigation leads them into the murky world of 1940s Los Angeles, where secrets, corruption, and scandal lurk around every corner. Ellroy&rsquo;s raw, unflinching prose brings this grim and captivating tale to life, making The Black Dahlia a must-read for fans of hard-hitting crime stories.

6. Where the Crawdads Sing (2018) by Delia Owens

Kya Clark, a young girl raised alone in the wilderness of North Carolina, becomes the prime suspect in the murder of a local man. Blending elements of mystery and coming-of-age fiction, Owens weaves a compelling narrative that examines isolation, survival, and the impact of societal judgment. The novel&rsquo;s lush, poetic descriptions of nature enhance the emotional depth of this atmospheric thriller, making it both a gripping crime story and a reflection on human resilience.

7. Blacktop Wasteland&nbsp;(2020) by S.A. Cosby

Beauregard &quot;Bug&quot; Montage, a former getaway driver turned mechanic, is struggling to keep his family&#39;s garage afloat. When an opportunity arises to pull off one last heist, Bug finds himself embroiled in a world of violence and betrayal. Blacktop Wasteland&nbsp;explores themes of loyalty, sacrifice, and the complex social dynamics of rural America. Cosby&rsquo;s taut prose and tense storytelling make this a modern thriller that delves into moral dilemmas and hard choices.]]>
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			<title>Read a Book Day: These 6 Books Will Make You Think, “What the hell did I just read?”</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2494085/read-a-book-day-these-6-books-will-make-you-think-what-the-hell-did-i-just-read</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2494085/read-a-book-day-these-6-books-will-make-you-think-what-the-hell-did-i-just-read#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 06 Sep 24 12:05:40 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Magazine Desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[T.Edit]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2494085</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Ready for a literary trip that messes with your head? These six books will leave you wondering what just happened.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Celebrated every year on 6th September, Read a Book Day is a day that invites everyone to slow down, disconnect from their daily hustle, and indulge in the simple yet profound pleasure of reading. Whether you&#39;re curled up solo on the couch or sharing a story with family and friends, this day serves as a reminder of the joys and benefits of getting lost in a good book.&nbsp;

Beyond entertainment, books are essential for expanding our horizons, sparking creativity, and improving cognitive function. Reading has been proven to reduce stress, improve mental health, and even boost empathy by allowing us to see the world through different perspectives. It&rsquo;s a gentle nudge to reconnect with stories, learn something new, or revisit a beloved classic.

And if you&#39;re looking to push your boundaries this Read a Book Day, why not dive into something a little mind-bending? Some books leave us in a daze, challenging our thinking, defying logic, and making us question everything we just read. Ready to take that plunge? Here are 6 books that will make you think, &ldquo;What the hell did I just read?&rdquo;


	
	Come Closer by Sara Gran
	


Originally published in 2003, this first person demon possession book is almost impossible to put down. This possession horror will make you want to crawl out of your own skin. It is no wonder it is captivating audiences two decades later.&nbsp;




	
	Blind Owl by Sadegh Hedayat
	


The Blind Owl, Sadegh Hedayat&rsquo;s masterpiece, is a key work of 20th-century Iranian literature. Told by an unnamed pen case painter, the story unfolds through his dark confessions, which he shares with an owl-shaped shadow on his wall. The book is an existential fever dream of loss, obsession and the blurring of despair and desire.&nbsp;




	
	We Have Always Lived In a Castle by Shirley Jackson
	


A dark and eerie novel about a twisted, murderous and secluded family and the chaos that follows when a cousin arrives at their estate. Your jaw will be on the floor while reading this - that&rsquo;s a guarantee.&nbsp;&nbsp;




	
	Lapnova by Ottessa Moshfegh
	


In a village ravaged by natural disasters, a young shepherd boy without a mother becomes entangled in a fierce power struggle that pushes the community&#39;s faith to its breaking point. This book is disgusting, harrowing and raw (in the best kind of way.)




	
	Paradise Rot by Jenna Hval&nbsp;
	


Paradise Rot, translated from Norwegian by Marjam Idriss, follows Jo, a Norwegian student studying abroad. She moves into a converted warehouse where she shares an apartment with Carral, a young woman who has been living there alone. Jo experiences a heightened sensory awareness, particularly when it comes to sound. It&#39;s an uncanny and yet deeply moving reading experience.&nbsp;




	
	The Stranger by Albert Camus&nbsp;
	


The 1942 novel tells the story of Meursault, an emotionally detached settler in French Algeria, who, just weeks after his mother&rsquo;s funeral, kills an unnamed Arab man in Algiers. The Stranger is a classic example of absurdist literature that might just send you down an existential rabbit hole (good luck reading this for the first time.)



What is the strangest book you have ever read? Let us know in the comments below!]]>
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			<title>Free textbooks reuse programme unveiled</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2455079/free-textbooks-reuse-programme-unveiled</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2455079/free-textbooks-reuse-programme-unveiled#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 31 Jan 24 20:26:24 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[APP]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Balochistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2455079</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Department has instructed school heads to collect old books from students before final exam results are announced]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[The Elementary and Secondary Education Department has issued a notification, announcing the provision of free textbooks from nursery to class 12 for the academic year 2024-25. According to the notification, 100% free textbooks will be provided for classes nursery to three, 80% for classes four to five, and the remaining 20% will be managed from old textbooks. Similarly, 50% of textbooks will be published for classes six to 12, with the remaining 50% managed from old textbooks.

The department has instructed school heads to collect old books from students before final exam results are announced. Additionally, an awareness campaign on resource preservation and the importance of books will be launched, offering incentives like certificates and medals. The department also suggests exploring options for using soft copies of textbooks through personal devices like cell phones, tablets, or laptops for the academic year 2025-26, with consultation from the parents-teachers council.

Read:&nbsp;Books for the rich

In October last year, a committee was formed to ensure the reusability of free textbooks and prevent wastage. District Level Constituent Committees (DLCC) will oversee this initiative, comprising four members each. They will be responsible for protecting books from damage, making them reusable, and redistributing them to students. This measure aims to curb the unnecessary expenditure on printing new books annually, ensuring that once-used books are reused efficiently.

Each district-level committee will be led by a Chairman, typically a District Education Officer (DEO), with members including Deputy DEOs (DDEOs), Assistant DEOs (ASDEOs), and a representative from the District Management Office (DMO). 

They will coordinate with school principals and teachers for the presentation, collection, and redistribution of textbooks. Monthly meetings with stakeholders and random inspections of textbooks at schools will be conducted, with reports submitted for evaluation.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 1st, 2024.]]>
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			<title>Books for the rich</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2454828/books-for-the-rich</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2454828/books-for-the-rich#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 29 Jan 24 20:41:36 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Muhammad Hamid Zaman]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Opinion]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2454828</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Reading in Pakistan is viewed as luxury or hobby, not something that is necessary part of intellectual development]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[&ldquo;Can you please point me to where the Urdu books are?&rdquo; I asked the shopkeeper as I entered a decent sized bookstore in a relatively well-to-do neighborhood in Lahore. He pointed me to the far corner of the bookstore. I walked in the direction of that particular corner, passing through rows of fiction and non-fiction books in English, most of which had nothing to do with Pakistan. In the rare instance that there was a book about Pakistan, the topic was predictable &mdash; politics and international security. The authors were also familiar &mdash; the same people who often appeared on the international circuit with grand predictions about the future and broad strokes about the past; the same people who did not know any of the local languages of the country that they were making predictions about. I browsed a couple of books and found that the prices for some of them were outrageous. A couple of familiar titles were more expensive in Pakistan (when converted into US dollars) than they were in the US. The bookstore, and the books, were there only for the rich. 

In the far corner reserved for Urdu books, another worker greeted me. I asked him if this small shelf was all they had in the bookstore. He smiled and said in a tongue-in-cheek manner that I should be grateful for this. This corner may not last long. Acknowledging the grim reality, I asked him about a few novels and books I had read about recently which had been published by major Urdu publishers in the country. He had none of them. He told me politely, &ldquo;Sir, you would not find Urdu books here.&rdquo; Surprised, I asked him, &ldquo;If I am unable to find Urdu books at a Pakistani bookstore, where am I supposed to find them?&rdquo; We both knew the answer. Trying to see if any of the other branches of this particular bookstore chain carried those books, the bookseller went to the computer and searched the database but got no hits. There was not much left to say to him.

The situation at the lone bookstore at Lahore airport was no different. In the past, their selection of Urdu books was decent. Not any more. The bookseller was honest and candid. The demand for Urdu books has plummeted. The situation at Karachi airport&rsquo;s international departure was perhaps most telling. That bookstore there has shut down completely.

The multi-dimensional crisis about books, publishing, reading and bookstores in Pakistan is fairly well known among those who care. But just because it is known does not mean that it is not depressing. Yet, just when I thought that this has to be the bottom of the crisis, I learned that there are plenty of new surprises waiting in store. All hitting those who are not rich or well-connected.

Reading in Pakistan is viewed as a luxury or a hobby, not something that is a necessary part of intellectual development. There has been one exception to this rule: textbooks. Despite flaws and errors, textbooks historically have been the only books most students would ever engage with. But even that relationship seems to be on shaky ground now. A few days ago, it was reported that thanks to a bizarre crisis at the Sindh textbook board, the books for students in public schools will not be available for months. As a result, the entire school year for hundreds of thousands of children will be shifted by several months (starting in August instead of April). The implications of this shift are extraordinary. The public system students will be out of sync with the rest of the country in terms of exams, admissions and ability to join colleges and universities. It is also unclear if the crisis would not repeat in the future. The impact, of course, will be on those who cannot afford to send their children to expensive private schools. 

Apparently at the core of the crisis are accusations of corruption, turf wars, allegations and counter-allegations. But the real crisis is that of apathy. Reading, after all, is a luxury. Who cares if the poor have no access to books?

Published in The Express Tribune, January 30th, 2024.

Like Opinion &amp; Editorial on Facebook, follow @ETOpEd on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces.

&nbsp;]]>
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			<title>Exhibit on Quaid’s photos, books opens</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2450450/exhibit-on-quaids-photos-books-opens</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2450450/exhibit-on-quaids-photos-books-opens#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 18 Dec 23 20:31:47 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Zulfiqar Baig]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Punjab]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2450450</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Over 200 rare pictures, 500 books related to Jinnah, companions are on display]]>
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				<![CDATA[Caretaker Federal Minister for National Heritage and Culture Jamal Shah on Monday inaugurated a 10-day long exhibition of photographs and books on Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah at Heritage Museum, Lok Virsa.

National Heritage and Culture Division, Lok Virsa organised the event in collaboration with National Library of Pakistan (NLP) and National Archives of Pakistan. Lok Virsa Executive Director Muhammad Uzair Khan, NLP Director General Asif Khan Niazi and a large number of students were also present at the inauguration ceremony.

Speaking on the occasion, the minister said that a series of events have been planned from 17 December to 28 December to pay rich tribute to the Father of Nation and Founder of Pakistan. Lectures, live performances, exhibitions, seminars, tableaus will be organised, said Shah, adding that these events are being organised in collaboration with cultural departments, community and local artists.

Read&nbsp;Book fair registers footfall of over 400,000 visitors

&ldquo;These events are aimed at highlighting the heroic struggle of our Quaid and his associates in achieving a separate homeland for the Muslims of subcontinent,&rdquo; said Shah. &ldquo;Our youth have tremendous potential and I advise them to make the country prosperous by adopting the teachings of the Quaid-i-Azam and Allama Muhammad Iqbal in letter and spirit.&rdquo;

Jamal Shah said that our younger generation needs to work hard by following the footsteps of Quaid-i-Azam.

He said that every photograph on display tells a story not only about Quaid&rsquo;s life but also the great struggle of our leaders to get separate homeland for Muslim of sub-continent.

&ldquo;This exhibition is a great opportunity for youth to feel real moments captured in photographs as these photographs are the windows to the past which shows how our great leaders went through the freedom struggle,&rdquo; said Shah.

The exhibition is an effort to pay tributes to the Father of Nation for his valuable contribution towards the creation of Pakistan. More than 200 rare photographs and 500 historical books related to founder of Pakistan Muhammad Ali Jinnah and his companions are on display.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 19th, 2023.]]>
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			<title>Book fair registers footfall of over 400,000 visitors</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2450285/book-fair-registers-footfall-of-over-400000-visitors</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2450285/book-fair-registers-footfall-of-over-400000-visitors#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 17 Dec 23 07:07:13 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2450285</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[As many as 40 institutions from 17 countries are participating in fair]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[The 18th World Book Fair ongoing at the Expo Centre, Karachi registered a footfall of more than 400,000 people on the third day including girls and women.

A trend of buying Islamic books, fiction, novels and children&#39;s educational storybooks was observed among the women who came to the book fair.

Read&nbsp;International book fair draws crowds

Publishers at the fair said that women&#39;s tendency towards Islamic books, Urdu novels and fiction was seen more at the stalls. As many as 40 institutions from 17 countries are participating in the fair. The organisers have set up more than 330 stalls displaying textbooks or non-curricular books.

Caretaker Information Minister Sindh Muhammad Ahmad Shah also visited the fair. While talking to the media, he said that paper has be- come four times expensive in two years. He said that cheap paper will be used in scientific and other necessary books.]]>
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			<title>Children’s book stalls draw crowds</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2450161/childrens-book-stalls-draw-crowds</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2450161/childrens-book-stalls-draw-crowds#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 15 Dec 23 20:52:56 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2450161</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Seminar titled 'Challenges for Modern Parents' addresses concerns related to children’s mental, practical abilities]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Thirty children&rsquo;s book stalls captured the attention of visitors on the second day of the 18th Karachi International Book Fair at the Expo Centre on Friday.

These stalls featured a diverse range of books, including those focused on children&rsquo;s guidance. A sizable crowd, consisting of students from various educational institutions in Hyderabad, explored the stands in search of books of their choice.

The five-day event serves as a platform for textbooks, covering subjects such as science, arts, literature, fiction, and more, all under one roof. With over 330 stands across three halls, the fair showcased millions of textbooks and non-textbooks. The event marked the introduction of a table calendar designed for the visually impaired, generating keen interest among attendees. 

Read&nbsp;Books are here to stay

Organisers highlighted the dedicated children&rsquo;s section, with 30 stalls exclusively catering to young readers, resulting in a bustling and crowded atmosphere. As per estimates, over 50,000 visited different stalls at the fair on Friday. They included students from schools, colleges, and universities, along with teachers and citizens. 

A seminar titled &ldquo;Challenges for Modern Parents&rdquo; addressed concerns related to children&rsquo;s mental and practical abilities and other pertinent issues. Former senator and educationist Khush Bakht Shujaat participated in the seminar, expressing appreciation for the practical and co-curricular activities discussed.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 16th, 2023.]]>
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			<title>Librarians rejoice at new books policy</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2441469/librarians-rejoice-at-new-books-policy</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2441469/librarians-rejoice-at-new-books-policy#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 16 Oct 23 21:53:32 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Qaiser Shirazi]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Punjab]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2441469</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Implementation of fresh rules sends waves of happiness among librarians]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[The Punjab Higher Education Department has approved the implementation of a new policy for 600 librarians at the girls&#39; and boys&#39; colleges across the province regarding the issuance, misplacement and damage to the books.

The 75-year-old sword that was hanging over librarians&#39; heads for the lost books at the time of retirement has been taken down as a result of the implementation of new rules. This has spread a wave of happiness among the librarians and the Punjab Librarians Association has declared its full support for the new rules and regulations policy.

According to the new policy, two per cent of annual book wastage has been declared legal. An eight-member committee will be formed in this regard, whose convener will be the deputy director of colleges and secretary colleges, two senior college principals of the said city, two senior librarians of the said college and a senior most faculty member of the college will be its members. Under the new rules, the college libraries will have only one entrance and closed-circuit television cameras will be installed in all the libraries.

The rules state that the records of every college library must be in modern library style while no reference books will be allowed to be taken home. Security devices will be installed in the windows and books will be issued to students and teachers for 15 days only. In case of need, these books must be returned first and then re-issued, otherwise, a fine of Rs10 per day will be charged.

All book records must be updated before summer vacations. It will be obligatory to take back the issued books from the students and teachers before the summer vacations. In this regard, the librarian will be required to submit a complete record to their respective principal.

All old books with damaged pages and prone to tearing will be digitised. Similarly, all old books can be issued only on computers and laptops. Books with old damaged pages will not be issued to anyone for home. E-library or its digital access could be received.

Punjab Librarians Association patron-in-chief Agha Shabbir Sabir, provincial president Banafsha Kiran, secretary general Hasnain Haider Haral and Fayyaz Bukhari said: &ldquo;We thank DPI Colleges Dr Ansar Azhar and Higher Education Secretary Javed Akhtar for the new rules.&rdquo;

&ldquo;Earlier, at the time of retirement, double and triple amount was deducted from every librarian&rsquo;s pension for all torn, worn out, lost and unreturned books,&rdquo; they said. &ldquo;Now, permission has been given to write off two per cent of the books annually, which will be given a final approval by a high-level committee,&rdquo; they said.

&nbsp;

Published in The Express Tribune, October 17th, 2023.]]>
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			<title>Book lovers hit hard by import bans</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2404527/book-lovers-hit-hard-by-import-bans</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2404527/book-lovers-hit-hard-by-import-bans#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 05 Mar 23 04:23:32 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Safdar Rizvi]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2404527</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Albeit digital reading is a cost-effective option, it threatens bookstores and bibliophiles alike]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[The precarious state of the economy and the high dollar rate has upended the purchasing power of the populace and amongst the victims of the prevalent, think twice before you buy, attitude of the average consumer are books.

Couple with the rapidly declining buying power with banks finding it hard to issue letters of credit (LC) to importers, on account of low foreign exchange reserves, and the current scenario is nightmarish for bibliophiles and students, who cannot find the books of their choice even if they are willing to pay the steep prices.

&ldquo;For the past several weeks, no books are being imported into the country and whatever little stock we had left is slowly running out,&rdquo; informed Aziz Khalid, Chairman of Pakistan Publishers and Booksellers Association. &ldquo;The situation impacts both avid readers and students as they can neither buy books for leisurely reading nor for their coursework.&rdquo; Amongst the adversely impacted is Mian Asif, who was quizzing the staff at a bookstore in Islamabad about the availability of a book on his daughter&rsquo;s behalf.

&ldquo;This is my third day of visiting nearly every bookstore in the city and I cannot find the book my daughter needs,&rdquo; said a visibly frustrated Asif, adding that the exercise had become a headache because the teachers were insisting on the particular book.Raja Mubeen Akhtar, who was browsing another bookstore in the federal capital with his 9-year-old daughter in tow, shares Asif&rsquo;s frustrations. &ldquo;It is not just that books are not available, the prices have gone up exponentially as well,&rdquo; said Akhtar, &ldquo;and since my daughter loves to read we now have to compromise on the number of books I can get her.&rdquo;

Bibliophiles like Akhtar&rsquo;s daughter not being able to afford as many books as they used is weighing heavy on book shop owners as well. Yar Muhammad, who runs a bookstore on Arbab Road in Peshawar, said that it was already hard running a store at a time when the book reading population had declined &ldquo;and now with books not being available, whatever little consumer base I have left will vanish.&rdquo; Agreeing with Muhammad&rsquo;s observation, Shafeeq Gigyani, who organises a monthly book circle in Peshawar, implored the government to step in and facilitate book importers and bookstore owners.

&ldquo;We are already a nation which reads very little and if the access to whatever little we are reading is cut off then we will be in an even worse position than we are today both economically and soft image wise,&rdquo; remarked Gigyani. However, Hassan Mirza, an anthropology and sociology student from Lahore, feels that in the current era of technology one does not need to solely rely on physical copies of books to read. &ldquo;For instance, I can easily read many pages in one go while scrolling on my phone. This is convenient because I can even annotate and highlight the text which is important,&rdquo; said Mirza.

Concurring with Mirza, Musa Khokhar, who is enrolled at a university in Lahore for politics and economics, said that reading digitally is much more convenient and cheaper. While digital reading may be more convenient, Dr Syeda Anjum Ara Alvi, a Professor at Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS), feels that it has aided superficial learning and led to the disappearance of the book culture. &ldquo;In the past, students would read multiple books on a wide variety of subjects in order to pass an exam, but now they just skim through a text on their gadgets, without gaining an in-depth understanding of the subject matter,&rdquo; opined Dr Alvi, adding that technology had also reduced the attention span of the students since it was very easy to get distracted.

Talha Baseer, another bibliophile who was browsing a bookstore in Islamabad, agreeing with Dr Alvi, said that reading from a physical book meant he retained much more information. &ldquo;However, if the current situation persists and books keep getting pricier, then I might have no other option but to read digitally.&rdquo;
The prospect of readers going digital worries Saleem Hussain, Chairman of a renowned bookstore in Karachi. &ldquo;The total import of books into Pakistan is a measly 0.26 per cent, which will not impact our foreign reserves, so the government should really reconsider the import policy regarding books.&rdquo;

Nasir Hussain, Director of Publishers Marketing Associates (PMA), agreeing with Hussain, requested the government to take action. &ldquo;We will also write a letter to the Federal Finance Minister and the State Bank of Pakistan to convey the gravity of the matter,&rdquo; informed Hussain while talking to the Express Tribune.]]>
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			<title>The vanishing roadside book stalls of Rawalpindi</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2400890/the-vanishing-roadside-book-stalls-of-rawalpindi</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2400890/the-vanishing-roadside-book-stalls-of-rawalpindi#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 13 Feb 23 04:30:25 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Qaiser Shirazi]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Punjab]]></category><category><![CDATA[Rawalpindi]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2400890</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[As readership declines, roadside sellers struggle for survival]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Along with the dwindling interest in reading books among the youth, not only the public and private libraries spread in the city and the cantonment are disappearing but a record decrease is also being seen in the number of hawkers, selling books on the pavements in the Saddar Cannt area of the garrison city.

With this, the culture of selling books along the sidewalks of the city&rsquo;s major thoroughfares seems to have died down significantly and will gradually fade away into oblivion in the near future. In the markets of Saddar Rawalpindi including Kashmir Road, Bank Road and Haider Road at least 13 young and old vendors would sell books on Sundays by arranging them on the footpaths and their business would continue from 8.00 am to 8.00 pm every Sunday.

However, the number of vendors has now reduced to only three. Sources say the main reason for this is believed to be a record decrease in the sale of books coupled with their high cost while some say that the business of sidewalk bookselling is taking its last breaths due to access to all types of books in online libraries and on Google.

All kinds of Urdu, English, Punjabi, Persian, Islamic, and textbooks were sold on the sidewalks. In Rawalpindi, the selling of books on the roadsides started in the mid-80s and this business thrived and remained profitable until 2010. However, the decline which began after 2010 is now at its peak.

The books and magazines sold on these sidewalks included old textbooks, magazines of all kinds, all political, economic, military and Islamic magazines published in America, Britain and Europe, suspense novels, old newspapers, various new and old novels of women&#39;s interest, old Urdu and English textbooks of all private educational institutions, Islamic books, witchcraft, black magic techniques and even banned books. If any book became extinct in the market, these books and journals were also available on order by paying half of the price of the required book in advance to these sidewalk booksellers.

Children&#39;s big colourful pictorial books, drawing books, and story books of all kinds of children&#39;s interests were also available at affordable prices at these roadside book selling points. Similarly, books and magazines from around the globe with different cooking techniques, kitchen items, women&#39;s make-up books, mehndi design magazines, books with various decorative designs on women&#39;s clothing, and different types of skill training books with pictures were also easily available on these sidewalk book stalls.

Apart from that, the competitive guidebooks for getting a commission in the army, preparatory books for different examinations, and English conversation and grammar books from different companies were also available in abundance in these roadside book-selling stalls. People of all ages including elders, children, women and youth used to throng these stalls on Sundays to buy books.

When the Urdu Bazaar in Rawalpindi city was closed on Fridays, vendors would be seen selling books on tables outside on the road. Now, this practice has ended in Rawalpindi city. In Saddar, only one stall is left on Kashmir Road and two on Bank Road while all the book stalls on Haider Road are gone. Sultan Mehmood, the book stall holder of Saddar Kashmir Road, said that the business of selling books on the footpath was started by his grandfather. &ldquo;My grandfather Haji Rizwan continued to do this work for a decade.

My father Bashiruddin also did this business for six years. Now for the last nine years, I have been doing this business,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;Earlier, I would help my grandfather and father in the business. At that time we had a lot of variety in the books. We used to borrow these books from big bookstores and get our commission by selling them which was around 20 to 50 per cent on each book.

One Sunday&#39;s sale proceeds were equal to a month&#39;s salary,&rdquo; he added. The bookseller lamented that the number of buyers has reduced significantly in recent years. &ldquo;Overall, the purchase of books from the footpath has decreased by 60 per cent. The number of women has decreased by 80 to 86 per cent only a few children purchase books from roadside stalls,&rdquo; he said.

He went on to explain that while the commission was high but the buyers were only a few. He complained that the shopkeepers as well as the Rawalpindi Cantonment Board staff seek money from them for setting up their bookstalls on the sidewalks. Meanwhile, Arshad Ali, a shopkeeper of Saddar Bank Road, said Sunday is a holiday when most government employees come for shopping.

&ldquo;Customers&rsquo; attention is diverted as books are scattered on footpaths so they do not approach the shops. They also don&#39;t get the space for parking due to bookstalls. Our business is affected due to which we are forced to stop the booksellers from arranging their books in front of the shops because these booksellers keep blocking the roads from morning till night,&rdquo; he clarified. Youths Arshad Jamal and Kumail Hassan opined that all kinds of textbooks are available online. &ldquo;We have no interest in detective novels and film magazines, therefore, we do not buy these books,&rdquo; they said.]]>
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			<title>Prices of textbooks, stationery skyrocket</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2399283/prices-of-textbooks-stationery-skyrocket-1</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2399283/prices-of-textbooks-stationery-skyrocket-1#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 03 Feb 23 20:41:06 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Qaiser Shirazi]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Punjab]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2399283</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Parents say sellers charge at whims]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[With the depreciation of the rupee, prices of textbooks and all stationery items including copies, registers, uniforms and school bags have skyrocketed in the open market ahead of the new academic session.

Shopkeepers in the wholesale market of Urdu Bazaar said that the prices of all types of textbooks have increased from Rs500 to Rs1700, while the price of register copies and rough copies has also increased by 100 per cent.

The cost of science practical copies of matric has been increased from Rs2,500 to Rs3,000.

With the new academic year around the corner, the purchase of books, copies, and stationery in wholesale has picked up the pace.

According to booksellers, the price of a small normal copy has reached Rs150, a medium copy has reached Rs230, and the price of a good quality copy has reached Rs300.

According to the shopkeepers, a normal register is being sold for Rs170, and a good quality register for Rs350. The prices of all textbooks for kindergarten and up to class-V have been jacked up from Rs1,300 to Rs2,000, while textbooks for middle classes were available between Rs1,000 and Rs4,000, and secondary class textbooks for Rs4,500.

A normal copy for drawing costs Rs180, while a good quality copy costs Rs250. Similarly, a normal quality geometry box costs Rs150 to Rs200, a good quality geometry box costs Rs350, a normal quality drawing coloured pencil box costs Rs200, a medium quality box costs Rs250 and a good quality box costs Rs1,000.

A small school bag costs Rs 2,000 while a medium quality bag is being sold between Rs2,700 and Rs3,500, while a good quality school bag is being sold at Rs4,500.

A complete set of female student uniforms is being sold at Rs3,500, while a complete set of male student uniforms is being sold at Rs4,000.

School shoes are available between the range of Rs2500 and Rs5,000.

Transporters have increased pick-and-drop charges due to the increase in the price of petrol and diesel. The pick-and-drop charges have been increased from February 1.

On the other hand, parents said that van drivers have increased the charges from Rs1,000 to Rs2,000 per month.

Haji Saleh Muhammad said that he owns a grocery shop and has three children. He said that earlier the van fare for the three children was Rs6,000, which has now been increased to Rs9,000 per month, which is more than his capacity.

Mohammad Nadeem said that his daughter goes to Islamabad University from Rawalpindi. He said that his daughter&rsquo;s van fare was Rs3,500 per month which has now been increased to Rs5,500.

Transporter Farrukh Khan said that petrol and diesel prices have been increased by Rs35.

This year, he said petrol and diesel prices were increased eight times but they have increased the fare only once in the whole year. He said that he could not run the business at a loss.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 4th, 2023.

&nbsp;]]>
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			<title>Sale of used books on the rise</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2396461/sale-of-used-books-on-the-rise</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2396461/sale-of-used-books-on-the-rise#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 17 Jan 23 20:12:50 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[APP]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Punjab]]></category><category><![CDATA[Islamabad]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2396461</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Owner of the old bookshop says that they purchase used books at the quarter price and resell them at half price]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Old books are becoming increasingly popular among readers due to a number of factors, including reasonable prices, the desire for authenticity, and the perceived value of older editions.

Secondhand bookstores are specialised in selling rare books which carry a wide range of old books, first editions, limited editions, and other rare or hard-to-find titles.

A customer, Saeed Ahmed, told APP that old bookshops can be a great place for book collectors to find rare or hard-to-find titles, as well as for people who are looking for an affordable way to build their personal library. &quot;Many old bookshops also carry other types of antique items, such as maps, prints, and other collectibles which make them a destination for collectors of all kinds.&quot;

Sara Aftab, a student, said that many old bookshops buy books from the public and that it becomes a good way for people to sell the old books that they no longer want and make some extra money to trade for other books. She added old bookshops are a great resource for anyone interested in collecting or reading old books. She said old bookshops offer a wide range of titles at affordable prices and provide a unique shopping experience for book lovers and collectors.

The owner of the old bookshop at F-10 Markaz, Nadeem Iqbal said that they purchase used books at the quarter price and resell them at half price.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 18th, 2023.Sale of used books
on the rise]]>
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			<title>Bibliophiles’ Sunday rendezvous</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2374848/bibliophiles-sunday-rendezvous</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2374848/bibliophiles-sunday-rendezvous#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 04 Sep 22 19:22:36 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Punjab]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2374848</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Weekly old book market survives seven decades of changing times]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[A Sunday bazaar of old books that has been set up for the past seven decades on the footpath of Anarkali market continues to attract citizens regularly despite the general perception of decreasing public interest in reading books.

The market is considered to be a preserver of old and rare books written on historical, literary, political and social topics.

The Anarkali Book Bazaar, in front of Pak Tea House, is now 70 years old. On the footpaths of a small road of 300 metres, hundreds of stalls are set up on both sides. Apart from political, social, literary and religious books, all kinds of children&#39;s books in English and Urdu are available at very cheap prices. Some books sold in the weekly market are not available anywhere else in the country.

The oldest bookseller of the market, Rana Asghar told The Express Tribune the bazaar had been set up at the spot on Sundays for the past 70 years. He is 60 years old and has been selling books there for the past 45 years.

Some rare books were also offered for sale at the stalls.

Rana Asghar said the trend of reading books had definitely decreased due to internet and modern information technology but the importance of books was still there.

The biggest source of old books is scrapyards. Sometimes good English books are also obtained from shipping containers brought from abroad.

Another bookseller, Qaiser, said he had been selling books in the makeshift market for 30 years. There was a time when computer and English books were in high demand.

He said he earlier used to set up his stall along the road but now displayed the books in a street. The vendors sell books at the spot because the market is closed on Sundays. Another shopkeeper, Habib, said the condition of old books was improved by binding them after buying them from the Urdu Bazaar at a low price. This makes possible their sale at a higher price. He said the number of visitors had not decreased but they were reluctant to buy their favorite books due to the ongoing spate of inflation.

Farooq Yusuf, who was visiting the bazaar along with his children, said the trend of reading books had significantly decreased due to the availability of internet but he comes to the bazaar with his children every Sunday and each of them has a mini-library.

A schoolteacher, Samreen, said she regularly bought books from the market because of their low prices. Students Imran Qazi, Ameer Hamza, Ali Nawaz and Fayaz Rafiq said inflation had made new books unaffordable so they bought old books for studying.

&nbsp;

Published in The Express Tribune, September 5th, 2022.]]>
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			<title>Free books for schools in Tarbela</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2373584/free-books-for-schools-in-tarbela</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2373584/free-books-for-schools-in-tarbela#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 27 Aug 22 20:09:40 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Punjab]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2373584</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Education official extends approval for request, books to be distributed on Aug 30]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Elementary Education Secretary has approved the request for provision of free books to the schools in Tarbela.

Tarbela Dam General Manager Muhammad (GM) Azam Joya will formally hand out the books on August 30.

It has been learnt that Tarbela Dam&#39;s Chief Engineer (Civil) and prominent TV anchor Jehangir Ali Yousafzai had met K-P Elementary Education Secretary Motasim Billah Shah to discuss the long-standing matter.

The talks reportedly bore fruit, as approval was successfully secured for the distribution of free books among approximately 2,500 students.

Once the approval was obtained, Yousafzai&#39;s personal assistant managed to procure the requisite books from the education office at Peshawar with the help of GM Tarbela Dam, Chief Engineer (Civil) Tarbela Dam and Executive Engineer Alam Pathan.

The books will be handed over to the designated in-charge personnel of the schools, who will further distribute them among deserving students.

Meanwhile, a protest rally was organised by Anjumane Tajirane Ghazi against the imposition of oppressive taxes on the electricity bills.

The protest began at the office of the Assistant Commissioner at Machli Chowk Ghazi and ended at the SDO office. While protesting, the protestors tore apart electricity bills and set them on fire.

While speaking to The Express Tribune, President of Anjumane Tajirane Ghazi, Mazhar Butt said that the protest would continue until the tax is abolished. The cruel tax is equivalent to the oppression of poor people and shopkeepers. Therefore, the federal government should immediately withdraw this oppressive tax.

The rally was led by Mazhar Butt, President of Anjumane Tajirane Ghazi, General Secretary Khawaja Abid Khayyam Uzair, Yawar Hayat, Ejaz Ahmed, Jamal Khan, Mian Masood, Manzoor Butt, and Ejaz Mir. Moreover, people belonging to different aspects of life such as shopkeepers, civil society, and journalists participated in the rally as well.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 28th, 2022.]]>
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			<title>In our own world</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2371282/in-our-own-world</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2371282/in-our-own-world#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 15 Aug 22 17:54:18 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Muhammad Hamid Zaman]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Opinion]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2371282</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[There is often discussion about having access to foreign libraries, resources and literature]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[I was looking for an earlier edition of my father&rsquo;s book Towards Pakistan online. The book is widely available in the marketplace in Pakistan, but most (nearly all) available copies are unauthorised, thanks to the poor enforcement of copyright laws. The unauthorised copies are a result of illegal photocopying, unauthorised edits, subtractions and additions. The original, authentic copies are only available in libraries or perhaps old bookstores. I was convinced that libraries at universities in Pakistan would have a copy of the edition that I was looking for, and I had been told by friends and family members as such. Yet, when I searched in WorldCat (a global catalogue of libraries of institutions and universities, private and public), most searches, with the exception of one, would point to libraries outside Pakistan that had copies of my father&rsquo;s book. The only Pakistani library that had a copy showed an edition printed in 2006 (which is unauthorised as my father had passed away in 1988). I knew there was something that was not quite adding up. 

I started manually going to the websites of libraries of major universities in Pakistan. Now, I was in for a bigger surprise. A number of major universities, including those which have often been quick to celebrate their national and international rankings, have no online catalogues. They would have an old picture of the library, the total number of holdings, but no catalog that could be searched. The website of the university that my father taught at for several years, and which is a major regional university, has a catalogue site that is &ldquo;under construction&rdquo;. With my initial attempts to use WorldCat unsuccessful, I had to go to the website of each university, type in the keywords and wait for the answers to appear on the screen. While I did find it at a few libraries in Pakistan, the catalogues of several large universities were unable to process basic queries (name, title, publisher, etc) or the servers would not respond for a long time and then crash. I was disappointed, and frustrated. This is not how modern libraries should operate. The fact that most libraries would not be fully connected to international databases or have functioning online catalogues is not something that should be acceptable for us in this day and age. 

Incidentally, while I was searching the catalogues, the last book of Mukhtar Masood sahib, Harf-e-Shauq, was sitting on my desk. I have long enjoyed his writing and his prose and had been reading his book for sometime. As I picked it up, I noticed that it had no barcode or any ISBN number. The ISBN or international standard book numbers have been in place for nearly half a century to assign a unique identifier to each book. Harf-e-Shauq was published in 2017, not before 1967 when the ISBN numbers were first introduced. I looked for other Urdu books in the house and found most of them without any identifiers as well. Some of the major Pakistani publishers have started using ISBN, but majority of Urdu books published in Pakistan have no such numbers. Our literature, writings and scholarship remain disconnected from the wider world. 

There is often discussion about having access to foreign libraries, resources and literature. Those points are all valid and important &mdash; but equally important is that our literature and scholarship be accessible to those who seek knowledge. The fact that our libraries remain disconnected from international databases, or do not have functioning electronic catalogues, or that our Urdu books have no ISBN numbers means that either we are unaware of the international systems, unwilling to make the effort, or simply believe that others may not be interested in what we may have to say. All of these arguments are weak and problematic. Nothing justifies being disconnected from the rest of the world of knowledge and inquiry. We do have a lot to say that the world does care about. We just need to make sure they can access what we say.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 16th, 2022.

Like Opinion &amp; Editorial on Facebook, follow @ETOpEd on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces.]]>
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			<title>Talking Books</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2297633/talking-books-1</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2297633/talking-books-1#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 30 Apr 21 15:39:54 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Magazine]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2297633</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Kamila Habib shares her five most favourite reads with T-Edit this week]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Kamila Habib, an avid reader, is the co-founder of My Bookshelf &ndash; an online library. Kamila has undertaken the initiative to make Pakistan read again. The bibliophile shares her five most favourite reads with T-Edit this week.



Where the Crawdad Sings

An atmospheric &lsquo;coming of age&rsquo; story about a lonely girl growing up in the marshes of North Carolina. This bestseller teaches us about human resilience and our dauntless will to survive. 



The Push

What if you feel there is something missing in your baby and you are unable to love it. Is it you that is at fault? Or is there actually something wrong with your child? If there is one thriller you need to pick up, make it this one.



The Henna Artist

This Reese&rsquo;s Book club pick is a vivid and compelling tale of one woman&rsquo;s quest to make it in a society deeply rooted in traditional patriarchy and rampant misogyny. 



Hood Femisim

Delve beyond the age old &lsquo;white manufactured&rsquo; definition of feminism and acquire the knowledge needed to update the term to be more accepting of the diversity that is reflected in today&rsquo;s world.



Crescent City

This latest offering by Maas is adult urban fantasy at its page turning best. Mystical creatures battle it out in this epic story of danger, loyalty and unbridled passion. Added Bonus - Bryce, the protagonist is awesome!]]>
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			<title>Street libraries fading away in Punjab</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2297701/street-libraries-fading-away-in-punjab</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2297701/street-libraries-fading-away-in-punjab#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 01 May 21 06:27:20 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[asghar.saleemi]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Punjab]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2297701</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Rising influence of social media affects reading culture]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The trend of reading printed books has decreased significantly due to people&#39;s dependence on social media. The practice of reading books after borrowing them from libraries established in the streets has almost vanished.

New shopping malls are being built in the provincial capital, food streets are being opened and there is abundance of fast food outlets. Amid such developments, the interest among the students to read books has mostly become limited till their examinations.

In the initial years of the country&#39;s independence, private libraries were set up in the streets and buildings of the provincial metropolis became. Initially, any person could get his favorite book from the libraries for one anna per day, or a few paisa.

Until a few years ago, the readers used to rent books of their choice from the libraries and return them the next day. However, with the passage of time, amid social and cultural changes in major cities due to technological development, hundreds of private libraries in Lahore have not been able to survive.

There are very few libraries in the city where books are issued on daily charges.

One of them is located in the Township area. Nadim Lodhi, the owner of the library, says that he had established it while he was doing another job to rent out the books collected by him for reading.

&ldquo;I remember when my library had a crowd of readers and sometimes people had to wait for several days to get their desired books.&rdquo; According to Lodhi, every neighborhood of Lahore used to have at least three or four libraries that provided young readers storybooks and magazines.

The books of Imran series, Naseem Hijazi&#39;s novels, romance stories, spy stories, current affairs books, scientific journals and informative books were available for youth while digest magazines were popular among women.

Since the arrival of social media, children, women as well as youth remain busy on Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, Instagram and other social media platforms. Many also watch videos on YouTube.

Another library owner, Mohammad Aleem Bilal said that the street libraries were part of Lahore&#39;s culture and a source of income of many people.

&quot;Nowadays, food streets are being set up in Lahore and shopping malls are being built but unfortunately a book street is not planned to promote education.&quot;

According to a citizen, Mohammad Amjad, a &#39;Kabab culture&#39; has replaced the book culture in the city Mohammad Naveed has been selling old books on the footpath in Anarkali Bazaar for a long time.

He said that about a decade ago, not only the owners of private libraries from Lahore but other cities also used to buy books from him regularly.

However, in recent years, more people started to selling instead of buying them, he added. MA in Mass Communication student Ali Nawaz Malik said that while speaking to The Express Tribune that the number of textbooks had increased so much that &quot;we do not have time to read other books&quot;.

According to experts, the book reading trend is decreasing due to modern equipment. They say the tradition can be revived by providing modern facilities to libraries.]]>
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			<title>Mardan woman asks books worth Rs100,000 as Haq Mehr</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2289900/mardan-woman-asks-books-worth-rs100000-as-haq-mehr</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2289900/mardan-woman-asks-books-worth-rs100000-as-haq-mehr#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 17 Mar 21 07:03:56 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Entertainment Desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Art and Books]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2289900</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[A true bibliophile indeed, Naila is currently pursuing her Ph.D. degree]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[While many believe books are the best company one can ask for, a bride from Mardan has now proved the same. Named Naila Shamal Safi, asked her husband for Rs100,000 worth of books in the form of Haq Mehr.





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A post shared by The Express Tribune (@etribune)




Safi is an ardent writer who is currently pursuing her Ph.D. Her enthusiasm for books has left many startled while motivating others to read more. In a now-viral video, Naila had said, &ldquo;There&rsquo;s inflation everywhere that makes such leisure as purchasing books, expensive. Secondly, the reason why I asked for books instead of your regular money, jewellery requests is because we need to break all kinds of stereotypes attached with it.&rdquo;

She continued, &ldquo;Being a writer myself, I asked for books because how can we expect people to value books when we ourselves aren&rsquo;t? So, this tradition can benefit in the future, value our advice and add to self-worth and knowledge.&rdquo;However, netizens on Twitter are not having it as the bride sat bejewelled in gold while speaking otherwise.



But look at the jewelry she already demanded and have it. Rest are drama bazi I guess🤣🤣👍
&mdash; Syed Asif Ali Shah (@ShahShahgms) March 16, 2021




It&rsquo;s a progressive thought. The couple is lucky enough to have each other and they will definitely enjoy writing in each other&rsquo;s company. More power to them 🙌🏻!
&mdash; Zainab (@bzainab27) March 16, 2021


A user on the micro-blogging site said, &ldquo;But look at the jewellery she already demanded and has it. Rest are for a show I guess.&rdquo; While a well-wisher said, &ldquo;It&rsquo;s a progressive thought. The couple is lucky enough to have each other and they will definitely enjoy writing in each other&rsquo;s company. More power to them.&rdquo;]]>
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			<title>George RR Martin working on 'Winds of Winter'</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2282505/george-rr-martin-working-on-winds-of-winter</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2282505/george-rr-martin-working-on-winds-of-winter#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 03 Feb 21 11:13:13 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Entertainment Desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Art and Books]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2282505</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA['GoT' author taking advantage of covid-19 lockdowns]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Famed author George RR Martin has revealed that his lockdown phase has resulted in his &quot;best work yet&quot; with his long-awaited and promised novel&nbsp;Winds of Winter, reported&nbsp;Entertainment Weekly.

Updating die-hard&nbsp;Game of Thrones&nbsp;fans online, Martin updated on his blog saying, &ldquo;I wrote hundreds and hundreds of pages of&nbsp;Winds of Winter&nbsp;in 2020. The best year I&#39;ve had since I began it. Why? I don&#39;t know. Maybe the isolation. Or maybe I just got on a roll. Sometimes, I do get on a roll.&quot;

The previous novels,&nbsp;A Song of Ice and Fire&nbsp;and&nbsp;A Dance with Dragons,&nbsp;came out in 2011. Since the pandemic prevailed and lockdown kicked off everywhere, the author has written hundreds and hundreds of pages. &quot;I need to keep rolling, though,&quot; Martin wrote. &quot;I still have hundreds of more pages to write to bring the novel to a satisfactory conclusion. That&#39;s what 2021 is for, I hope.&quot;

&quot;I will make no predictions on when I will finish,&quot; Martin added. &quot;Every time I do, netizens on the internet take that as a &#39;promise,&#39; and then wait eagerly to crucify me when I miss the deadline. All I will say is that I am hopeful.&quot; Martin also has other work in the pipeline:&nbsp;HBO&nbsp;is looking to order more&nbsp;Game of Thrones&nbsp;prequels.]]>
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			<title>Private publishers can develop SNC textbooks</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2281641/private-publishers-can-develop-snc-textbooks</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2281641/private-publishers-can-develop-snc-textbooks#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 27 Jan 21 20:09:03 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[APP]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category><category><![CDATA[Islamabad]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2281641</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Private publishers will have to get a no-objection certificate]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[As per its Single National Curriculum (SNC) textbook policy, the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training has allowed private publishers to develop textbooks aligned with the student learning objectives (SLOs) prescribed by it.

According to a statement issued by the education ministry on Wednesday, it has issued a letter to all provincial governments on the SNC textbook policy as per the directions of Federal Education Minister Shafqat Mahmood.

However, the private publishers will have to get a no-objection certificate (NOC) by the provincial or district textbook boards so it could be ensured that no &ldquo;anti-Pakistan, anti-religion or any other hate material&rdquo; was made part of the course material. 

Published in The Express Tribune, January 28th, 2021.]]>
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			<title>10 best websites for downloading free ebooks</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2277098/10-best-websites-for-downloading-free-ebooks</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2277098/10-best-websites-for-downloading-free-ebooks#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 23 Dec 20 08:59:24 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Tech Desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Technology]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2277098</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Research has confirmed that reading books can benefit both your physical and mental health]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[There hasn&rsquo;t been a better time to pick up a book and relax, and&nbsp;research has confirmed that reading books can benefit both your physical and mental health.&nbsp;

As we continue to stay at home and battle coronavirus, here are some resources for the bookworms to&nbsp;download free ebooks:

Project Gutenberg

Project Gutenberg is the oldest digital library founded in 1971 by American writer Michael S&nbsp;Hart.&nbsp;The website has a collection of more than 60,000 free ebooks.

Project Gutenberg employs volunteers to create and share e-books online, hence there is no registration fee&nbsp;and books are available in ePub, Kindle, HTML, and simple text formats.

Open Library

Open Library is an online project created by Aaron Swartz, Brewster Kahle, Alexis Rossi, Anand Chitipothu, and Rebecca Malamud to provide a platform that has &quot;one web page for every book ever published&quot;. The website has over 3 million books on a wide variety of topics such as Art, recipes, biographies, religion, medicine, and much more and the best part is that everything is free to download.

Google eBookstore

Google eBookstore offers more than 10 million free books to choose from that range from old classics such as Shakespeare to recently released books.

The website makes it easy for users to search for books written in many different languages, including books that are rare, out of print, or unavailable.

Pakistani coders shine at JavaScript Speed Coding Challenge

Internet Archive

Internet Archive is a non-profit digital library offering free access to books, movies &amp; music, as well as 514 billion archived web pages. At present, the website is getting over 1.5 million daily unique visitors.

The platform was established in 1996 with the goal of establishing an Internet library for researchers, historians, and scholars.

LibGen/Library Genesis

Library Genesis is a file-sharing based shadow library website that offers free access to content that might not be available elsewhere. There is a wide variety of scholarly journal articles, academic and general-interest books, images, comics, and magazines.

The website is ideal for students who want to access free scholarly journal articles for their research work.

ManyBooks.net

ManyBooks.net offers users a catalog of free eBooks with a wide variety of genres to choose from and the unique feature about the website is that is gives users the ability to find and download books in different formats.

You can search for your favorite eBooks by author, title, category, and language and also check out new titles and recommended titles.

BookBoon

BookBoon provides free textbooks to students for engineering, IT, and business students as well as short and practical business books.

The website also offers a library of bite-sized business eBooks on soft skills and personal development by industry-leading experts.

China starts work on plant for mRNA-based Covid-19 vaccine candidate

LibriVox

LibriVox is a non-commercial, non-profit, and ad-free project that offers access to over 24,000 audiobooks.

The audiobooks can easily be streamed over the internet or downloaded for later use without any charge. You can also download the LibriVox app which includes listings for new recordings, featuring classic best sellers.

OnlineProgrammingBooks

OnlineProgrammingBooks provides students a selection of free eBooks on mobile app development, programming, computer science, web design, software engineering, information technology, networking, and databases.

Amazon Free Kindle Books

Amazon Free Kindle Books also offers top free books for download which you can read anytime and anywhere you want

Amazon Kindle currently has over six million Kindle books (including those with Audible narration), magazines, audiobooks, and comics.]]>
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			<title>The state of the written word</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2268079/the-state-of-the-written-word</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2268079/the-state-of-the-written-word#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 12 Oct 20 18:14:14 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Muhammad Hamid Zaman]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Opinion]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2268079</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[A recent survey suggested that three in four Pakistanis (75%) do not read anything outside of their syllabus]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[In 1985 Raza Ali Abidi published his book, Kutb Khana, a story of his travels across India and Pakistan looking for libraries where ancient (and not so ancient) manuscripts were housed in public and private collections. In easy to read, but beautiful prose that had been a hallmark of Abidi&rsquo;s BBC Urdu&rsquo;s radio programmes, he narrates the stories of rare manuscripts, letters, and their custodians. The stories are remarkable but sad. From Karachi to Hyderabad Deccan, Uch Sharif to Patna, Lahore to Lucknow, the state of the libraries and the books within them is painful. The state of private collections even worse. Dozens (in 1985 when the book was first published) were on the verge of extinction due to neglect, lack of resources and apathy. Most likely these manuscripts, largely in Persian and Arabic, have been lost forever. 

Perhaps the only dark consolation one could find is that our problems are not new. Our disregard for knowledge is not a 21st century phenomenon. We have been like this for a while. Writing in the mid-80s, Abidi notes that most book lovers and scholars complained of dwindling interest in the written word. Well before the era of texts and tweets, there was worry that reading and connecting with our heritage was of little concern to most. We can blame Twitter for a lot of things, but our ignorance pre-dates the tech revolution. 

Texts and tweets aside, what is the state of our engagement with books right now?

A recent survey suggested that three in four Pakistanis (75%) do not read anything outside of their syllabus (if they are students &mdash; if they are not, no reading whatsoever!). Bookstores are becoming stationery shops, or carry more magazines than actual books. Occasionally, the Prime Minister is found reading a book, or suggests a book he thinks people in the country should read. Most (if not all) are in English and expensive to buy. Translation industry is non-existent, and in the absence of public libraries, there is little access to books. I doubt if most of my friends and family members can name a public library in their cities &mdash; one that is accessible or they have been to in the last year. Having one large public library somewhere far in a city of millions of people is not going to cut it. 

The problem Abidi notes in his book is threefold. First, interest in reading is on the decline as a whole. Second, the resources needed to maintain libraries are simply not there. And third, the custodians of books and manuscripts do not trust state institutions to preserve their prized possessions. There was good reason for this lack of trust when Abidi wrote the book in 1985. Bureaucrats and government officials were seldom interested in reading or writing &mdash; few cared about these priceless treasures. I doubt if we are better off in 2020 than we were in 1985. Our national archives are in a disarray. The national archives building in Islamabad, when I saw it earlier this year, itself seemed like an archeological site. The state of books and manuscripts inside is much worse. 

So where do we go from here? Perhaps a better question would be what would happen if we do not change our course. Not only would we lose priceless collections, we would lose our heritage and connection with our history. We would lose our connection with our past and its richness. In a society that is still unsure of who we were, and what our identity is, these manuscripts are an invaluable source to fill the gaps. These manuscripts are far more worthy, and reliable sources to remind us about our scholarship, culture and heritage than a Turkish drama.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 13th, 2020.

Like Opinion &amp; Editorial on Facebook, follow @ETOpEd on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces.]]>
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			<title>Meghan Markle did not cooperate with biography, lawyers tell court</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2265160/meghan-markledid-not-cooperate-with-biography-lawyers-tell-court</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2265160/meghan-markledid-not-cooperate-with-biography-lawyers-tell-court#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 22 Sep 20 10:59:47 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Reuters]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Art and Books]]></category><category><![CDATA[Gossip]]></category><category><![CDATA[Life &amp; Style]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[Meghan’s legal team has budgeted $2.3 million for a case against tabloid that claims so]]>
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				<![CDATA[Lawyers for Meghan Markle, the wife of Britain&rsquo;s Prince Harry, said on Monday that a&nbsp;tabloid paper&#39;s claim&nbsp;that the royal couple cooperated with a recent book about them was &ldquo;manifestly false&rdquo;. The paper in question has also been&nbsp;sued for invasion of privacy by Markle.

Meghan, officially titled the Duchess of Sussex, is suing publisher Associated Newspapers over articles that the Mail on Sunday printed last year that included parts of a handwritten letter she sent to her estranged father, Thomas Markle, in August 2018.

At a hearing at London&rsquo;s High Court on Monday, lawyers for the Mail said Finding Freedom, a biography of Harry, 36, and Meghan, 39, published in August, appeared to have been written with the extensive cooperation of the duchess.

They were seeking to amend their case ahead of a trial due to start in January, arguing that Meghan&rsquo;s alleged cooperation with the book&rsquo;s authors showed she intended some private details to be made public, including the contents of the letter.

Antony White, the paper&rsquo;s lawyer, told the court some personal information could only have come from the couple themselves or close friends authorised to disclose it.

The book &ldquo;gives every appearance of having been written with their extensive cooperation&rdquo;, he said in a written submission.

Meghan&rsquo;s lawyer Justin Rushbrooke said there was no evidence for the Mail&rsquo;s argument which he said was based on assertions which were &ldquo;manifestly false&rdquo;.

&ldquo;What the defendant is saying is we don&rsquo;t have any evidence for this case ... we are relying on inference. The inference is not evidence,&rdquo; he said.

One of the book&rsquo;s authors, Omid Scobie, also gave a witness statement in support of Meghan in which he describes the book as &ldquo;an independent and unauthorised project&rdquo;.

&ldquo;Any suggestion that the Duke and Duchess collaborated on the book is false,&rdquo; Scobie said. &ldquo;They did not authorise the book and have never been interviewed for it.&rdquo;

White said Scobie&rsquo;s evidence &ldquo;cries out for rigorous testing under cross-examination&rdquo;.

People Interviews

The paper argues that its publication of her letter to her father in Feb. 2019 was justified by Meghan&rsquo;s own &ldquo;media fightback&rdquo;, which consisted of anonymous interviews given on her behalf by five of her friends to the U.S. magazine People.

The court was told the Mail&rsquo;s case was that Meghan had used her friends to influence the media and encouraged them to act as her PR agents.

Meghan denies that her friends were acting on her behalf.

White argued that if she had not cooperated with the book or allowed her friends to speak to its authors, it was &ldquo;inevitable&rdquo; that Meghan would have sued, which she was not doing, or stated that the contents were invented.

Rushbrooke dismissed this as a &ldquo;flimsy leap&rdquo;.

The trial is scheduled to start on January 11 and last between seven and 10 days. At a hearing on Monday, the court was told there would be seven witnesses, of whom four will appear on behalf of Meghan.

Meghan&rsquo;s legal team has budgeted just under 1.8 million pounds ($2.3 million) for the case, while the Mail&rsquo;s costs are estimated at more than 1.2 million pounds. The judge, Francesca Kaye, said both amounts seemed &ldquo;disproportionate&rdquo; as it was not a &ldquo;high value&rdquo; claim or complex case, and was essentially a personal dispute.

She will give her ruling on whether the Mail can amend its case at a later date.

Have something to add to the story? Share it in the comments below]]>
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			<title>After 15 years, K-P's Tank gets a library</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2262757/after-15-years-k-ps-tank-gets-a-library</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2262757/after-15-years-k-ps-tank-gets-a-library#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 05 Sep 20 21:04:51 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Khyber Pakhtunkhwa]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2262757</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Shahid Afridi says no society can progress without education]]>
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				<![CDATA[Former cricketer Shahid Afridi on Saturday reopened a library in Tank district which was closed some 15 years ago. 

Speaking to media at the Tank Press Club, the former skipper said no society can progress without education and it was his aim to support the cause of education. 

Afridi said that education is the basic right of every child and it was very unfortunate that still 30 million children are out of schools. He said that Shahid Foundation was working to ensure that the target of a hundred per cent literacy rate is achieved. 




ایک کتاب جیسے نئی دنیا میں ایک کھڑکی کھولتی ہے تو ایک لائبریری سوچیں کیسا جہاں تخلیق کر سکتی ہے؟ ٹانک کی عمارت، ہمارے ترجیحات کے زوال کی نشانی ہے۔ ہمیں اپنے علمی ورثے کو صرف بچانا نہیں ہے اس کی پرورش بھی کرنی ہے۔ گھر کو کتابیں، اور کتابوں کو گھر دیجیے#ہمارا_خواب_ہر_ہاتھ_میں_کتاب pic.twitter.com/1gF8AXh5qs
&mdash; Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) September 5, 2020




Published in The Express Tribune, September 6th, 2020.]]>
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			<title>Lahore book bazaars return to a dwindling business</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2260800/lahore-book-bazaars-return-to-a-dwindling-business</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2260800/lahore-book-bazaars-return-to-a-dwindling-business#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 22 Aug 20 19:43:05 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Muhammad Ilyas]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Punjab]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2260800</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[The five-month long lockdown has nudged readers to shift from paperbacks and hardbounds to epubs, sellers complain]]>
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				<![CDATA[Once buzzing with hundreds of shoppers and inquisitive passersby, the street-side book bazaars of Lahore have gone silent in the days after the coronavirus-induced lockdown. Prior to the shutdown, some 45 weekly bazaars would be set up around the Mughal city, along with various footpath-markets selling all kinds of new and second-hand books at nominal rates. 

Often with no dedicated space or stalls, most sellers would bring their books to the market on their backs every Sunday. Stack them over a piece of cloth laid on the ground and wait for buyers as they walked past. Some would pick up a title of interest and skim through the pages before buying, others would rummage through the pile and haggle for price.

With no fixed-rates and uptight policies of high-end stores, there was always room for bargaining at these markets. However, in the five months that these markets remained suspended, the people of Lahore have seemingly come down in the favour of readily available e-books over the traditional paperback and hardbound forms. Much to book sellers&rsquo; disbelief, many of them have noticed a dramatic drop in number of customers ever since returning from the lockdown. 

&ldquo;I would visit these markets at least once or twice a month before the lockdown. But when the stalls disappeared during the peak of coronavirus threat and people were forced to stay at home, e-books became all the rage. Most of us have tablets and mobile phones in this day and age, so it was just more convenient. The shift was long-time coming, the lockdown just gave it the little nudge it needed,&rdquo; said Hassan, a liberal arts student from Lahore.

According to Rana Muhammad Asghar, a trader who has been in the business of selling books for over four decades, the five-month long closure has been devastating for his business. &ldquo;Our business has been affected ever since the internet became popular. More and more people have been switching to e-books and digital magazines over the past few years. 

However, the coronavirus-induced lockdown period was the final straw. That is when we suffered our greatest loss. We rarely have any customers anymore but hope the situation would change in the coming days,&rdquo; said Asghar. &ldquo;We don&rsquo;t have as many literary festivals or book launches anymore. Most people, especially the younger generation has lost interest in reading. Others have switched to googling books,&rdquo; he added.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, another old-hand bookseller at Lahore&rsquo;s Anarkali bazaar, shared that much of his business now has been replaced by buying books instead of selling them. 

&ldquo;We have always maintained the cycle by buying books from one person and selling them to another. Of lately, there haven&rsquo;t been as many buyers. Most people just come here to sell their old books or call me to collect books form their homes,&rdquo; he lamented.

On the other hand, a buyer who had come to the Anarkali market on Sunday in quest of half-priced books, shared that she had been aching to return to the bazaar ever since the lockdown happened. &ldquo;Scouring through the stacks of books here requires a bit of an effort, but it is worth it. One can find all kinds of rare titles as well as books by local as well as international authors and poets at much less than the original price. I am glad to see the stalls are back,&rdquo; she told The Express Tribune.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 23rd, 2020.]]>
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			<title>Contribution of intellectuals lauded</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2260371/contribution-of-intellectuals-lauded</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2260371/contribution-of-intellectuals-lauded#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 19 Aug 20 20:53:17 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Balochistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2260371</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Brahvi poets deserve tribute for publishing hundreds of books despite lack of resources]]>
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				<![CDATA[Governor Balochistan Amanullah Khan Yasinzai has said that intellectuals are performing their duties of promoting the attitudes of civilisation in the society and building the character of the society through their vision. 

Governor Yasinzai shared these views on Wednesday while meeting with Chairman of Brahvi Adadbi Society in Quetta. &quot;Despite the lack of resources and funds from the Brahvi Literary Society, Brahvi poets deserved tribute for publishing hundreds of books,&quot; Governor Balochistan added. 

Published in The Express Tribune, August 20th, 2020.]]>
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			<title>Karachi’s second street library launched</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2259715/karachis-second-street-library-launched</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2259715/karachis-second-street-library-launched#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 15 Aug 20 19:02:23 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category><category><![CDATA[Karachi]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2259715</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Commissioner says similar facilities also being set up in North Nazimabad, Malir, Garden]]>
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				<![CDATA[Karachi Commissioner Iftikhar Shallwani inaugurated on Saturday the city&#39;s second street library - established with the support of the South District Municipal Corporation (DMC) - in Lyari and pledged to expand the initiative to other areas as well.

Addressing the inauguration ceremony, the commissioner said efforts for establishing more street libraries in the Karachi would continue by the city administration, so that common citizens could more easily access books and the trend of reading was revived.

He further stated that he had laid the foundation stone for another street library in North Nazimabad recently, while arrangements for establishing similar facilities in Garden and Malir were also underway.

Underlining the significance of establishing street libraries, Shallwani remarked, &quot;Books still have great value, despite the widespread prevalence of the internet.&quot; He reasoned, &quot;[This is because] the internet is no replacement for books. We can acquire information via the internet, but knowledge can only be acquired through books.&quot;

Particularly speaking in relevance to the street library in Lyari, the commissioner observed that the area residents&#39; appreciation of the initiative reflected their fondness for books. He expressed hope that they would maintain and look after the library, which, comprising books on history, literature and other subjects, would be of most benefit to children.

The commissioner thanked the Rotary Club for gifting 500 books for the library, adding that the South DMC had been assigned the facility&#39;s upkeep.

Also speaking on the occasion, South DMC chairperson Malik Mohammad Fayyaz Awan termed the library&#39;s establishment &quot;a positive step,&quot; adding that the initiative would give rise to interest in reading among students.

In December, 2019, Karachi&#39;s first street library - also the first of its kind in Pakistan - was inaugurated with 600 books at the Commissioner&#39;s Corner near Metropole Hotel.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 16th, 2020.]]>
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			<title>‘Midnight Sun' sells 1mn copies in first week</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2259648/midnight-sun-sells-1mn-copies-in-first-week</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2259648/midnight-sun-sells-1mn-copies-in-first-week#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 15 Aug 20 09:38:36 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Entertainment Desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Art and Books]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2259648</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[‘Twilight’ companion novel released on August 4]]>
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				<![CDATA[Though it&#39;s been 15 years since Stephanie Meyer debuted Twilight,&nbsp;the love for the franchise is still very much alive as&nbsp;Midnight Sun, the much-anticipated companion novel, has sold a million copies across all formats in its first week of sales in North America, publisher Hachete Book Group and Little, Brown Books for Young Readers announced on Thursday.&nbsp;

The combined sales figure for&nbsp;Midnight Sun,&nbsp;which&nbsp;was released on August 4, includes pre-orders, sales of print books, eBooks and audiobooks. Additional incoming orders from consumers also apply to the figure and the book is also&nbsp;currently on top of the&nbsp;New York Times&nbsp;Children&#39;s Series list stated&nbsp;The Hollywood Reporter.

Midnight Sun&nbsp;is also an international bestseller with top spots in the UK, Brazil, Holland and Germany. It is the second bestselling book in France.

&quot;We&rsquo;re absolutely thrilled to bring people back to the&nbsp;Twilight&nbsp;saga and celebrate this major achievement with Stephanie and the fans and booksellers who&rsquo;ve supported her for the last 15 years,&quot; said Megan Tingley, Executive Vice President and Publisher of Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. &quot;In addition to the breathtaking sales, it is profoundly gratifying to hear how much the fans are loving the novel. The resounding response has been worth the wait!&rdquo;&nbsp;

Meyer&#39;s&nbsp;Midnight Sun&nbsp;is a retelling of her&nbsp;Twilight&nbsp;love story but from the point of Edward Cullen, instead of Bella Swan.&nbsp;She first teased the novel in a surprise announcement in May by featuring a countdown clock on her website&#39;s homepage. The clock was also posted on the social media pages of her production company Fickle Fish Films.

The author filmed a&nbsp;video that aired on&nbsp;Good Morning America, wherein she officially announced the release of&nbsp;Midnight Sun.&nbsp;&quot;It&#39;s a crazy time right now and I wasn&#39;t sure if it was the right one to put this book out but some of you have been waiting for just so, so long, it didn&#39;t seem fair to make you wait anymore,&quot; she said.

Though Meyers was originally set to publish&nbsp;Midnight Sun&nbsp;in 2008, she cancelled the plans after a copy of her manuscript was leaked online. The author then posted a partial rough draft&nbsp;of the work on her website but never released a completed story. At the time, she referred to&nbsp;Midnight Sun&nbsp;as &quot;an exercise in character development that got wildly out of hand.&quot;&nbsp;

&quot;While I was procrastinating some real editing work (I&rsquo;m always at my most creative when procrastinating), I started to wonder how the first chapter of&nbsp;Twilight&nbsp;would read if it were written from Edward&rsquo;s perspective. There is&nbsp;so&nbsp;much more to his side of the story than there is to Bella&rsquo;s in that first chapter,&quot; she wrote&nbsp;online.&nbsp;

Meyer&#39;s&nbsp;Twilight&nbsp;books have sold more than 100 million copies worldwide. The popular franchise centred on a vampire and teenage human falling in love and grew to become a cult phenomenon after it was adapted for the 2008 film of the same name, starring Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart. Each book in the franchise was adapted for the film before closing the curtains in 2012 with the final installment,&nbsp;Breaking Dawn: Part 2.&nbsp;

For its opening weekend in the US and Canada,&nbsp;Twilight&nbsp;grossed $393.6 million worldwide. The second film in the film franchise,&nbsp;New Moon, grossed $709.7 million. Meanwhile,&nbsp;Eclipse&nbsp;grossed $698.4 million, Breaking Dawn: Part 1&nbsp;grossed $712.2 million and&nbsp;Breaking Dawn: Part 2&nbsp;finished with $829.7 million worldwide.

Have something to add to the story? Share it in the comments below.&nbsp;]]>
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			<title>Poor reading habits hamper writing ability</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2258527/poor-reading-habits-hamper-writing-ability</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2258527/poor-reading-habits-hamper-writing-ability#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 07 Aug 20 20:02:29 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Islamabad]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2258527</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Speakers urge students to gain knowledge, hone storytelling skills]]>
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				<![CDATA[Those looking to become writers and storytellers must read a lot and thoroughly research their subject matter.

This was stated by speakers during a webinar on &ldquo;The Power of Penmanship&rdquo;. The session had been organised by The Platform of the Centre for Global and Strategic Studies (CGSS) on Friday to discuss the scope and opportunities for the writing community of Pakistan. 

Ghulam Akbar, the head of two dailies, explained the role reading plays in developing writing skills. Only good readers can become good writers as reading helps produce good content for writing.

Akbar pointed out that commercial interests involved in the writing industry have led to the disappearance of many famous newspapers and magazines. 

Amir Ghauri, a senior journalist and editor, stated that not everyone can be a good writer or a good storyteller. 

Book launch: India termed core problem in South Asia

To be a good storyteller and writer, he said that one needs to do extensive reading. Ghauri further mentioned that along with reading, it was critical to possess the ability to think independently and to analyse text. 

Script Writer Naila Ansari briefly explained the complexities of the local media industry and how students can succeed in this field. 

To write well, she said, the basic prerequisite is to have sufficient knowledge. This can be obtained by travelling, reading, and keeping good company. She lamented that students today do not read anymore, adding that parents need to inculcate a reading habit in children. 

Mountaineer Saad Munawar said that the power and the value of pen are much greater than just money.

&ldquo;If one has the skill of writing and you have the ability to make people relate with your writing, then do not let anyone discourage you,&rdquo; he said. 

Earlier, CGSS Advisory Board Senior Member Brigadier (retired) Akhtar Nawaz Janjua talked about the importance of writing and highlighted the role writing can play on enhancing the skills and potential of future generations.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 8th, 2020.]]>
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			<title>Thought police</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2256962/thought-police</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2256962/thought-police#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 27 Jul 20 21:17:46 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Hassan Niazi]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Opinion]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[This is how rights die]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[This is how rights die: chipped away piece by piece until there is nothing left but a memory of what was lost. 

Over the course of last week, the Government of Punjab has made a two-pronged attack on freedom of expression. The first attack came with the Punjab Curriculum and Textbook Board coming out of hibernation and banning over 100 textbooks in Punjab for allegedly containing anti-state content. The second came through the Punjab Tahhafuz-e-Bunyad-e-Islam Act, 2020. 

Both statutes allow books to be banned in Punjab. In the former&rsquo;s case, this is limited to textbooks. While the latter can ban any books being sold in the province. So, they raise identical issues from a legal and principled perspective. 

Legally, under the Constitution, speech and expression can be restricted in the interests of certain legitimate state interests given in the Constitution (security and defence of Pakistan, public order, etc) as long as those restrictions are &ldquo;reasonable&rdquo;. Both statutes replicate these interests word for word in empowering the government to ban books. However, how these restrictions are practically implemented is what determines if they are in line with the Constitution or not. 

Therefore, merely stating that something is &ldquo;anti-state&rdquo; is not enough to fulfil the constitutional requirement for determining whether a restriction on speech is &ldquo;reasonable&rdquo;. In fact, this is a mixed question of fact and law that requires serious application of mind. 

For example, let&rsquo;s say the Board wanted to ban a textbook for being against the security or defence of Pakistan &mdash; the only legitimate restriction on speech that comes close to an anti-state category. Article 260 of the Constitution defines the &ldquo;defence of Pakistan&rdquo; as meaning a threat to the territorial integrity of Pakistan. Furthermore, the Supreme Court has held that there must be a &ldquo;clear and present&rdquo; danger to the country for this restriction to be considered &ldquo;reasonable&rdquo; under the circumstances. So, before the Board can ban a textbook under this category, it would have to show that the textbook had the potential to be an immediate danger to the territorial integrity of Pakistan. A pretty high threshold that requires a strong factual justification. 

Looking at some of the examples of the books banned by the Board, it is clear that these legal requirements are not being fulfilled. One mathematics textbook was banned because it had a picture of a pig, while another book was banned because it contained a quote from Gandhi. This sort of arbitrary decision-making is unlawful under both the Constitution and the Board&rsquo;s own Act. 

Furthermore, Article 10A of the Constitution requires the Board to give a publisher of a textbook a fair hearing before they pass a decision. However, the Managing Director of the Board has gone on record to state that no hearing was given to any publisher before the bans were imposed. 

Our Constitution says many things, but how it is implemented in practice is often completely different. Which is why the Punjab Tahaffuz Act, 2020 seems so ominous. If the actions of the Board indicate anything, it is that we can expect the same sort of unconstitutional and arbitrary decision-making under this new legislation which empowers the Director General, Punjab to confiscate any book or refuse permission to print any book which is prejudicial to the national interest. The DG has absolute discretion to decide what books people should be reading in Punjab. If he is anything like the Board, any book including pigs, Gandhi, or whatever he thinks is against our national interest will be banned. 

Apart from the legal issues, the actions of the Board provide an insight into our country&rsquo;s misplaced educational priorities. Rather than improving the myopic discourse within our textbooks which glorify war and violence, peddle nationalism, and often lie about history outright; state resources are being used to ban books showing pigs and quoting Gandhi. 

The Government of Punjab isn&rsquo;t concerned about educating our children, but concerned with making sure critical thinking is suppressed. 

While there are many ways to explain why the Punjab government is taking these actions, perhaps none fits better in the grand scheme of our country&rsquo;s distaste for critical thinking than the objective of preventing anyone from questioning the status quo. 

In a recent column, I wrote about how control over discourse is an essential condition of retaining power over people. Whoever controls the dominant narrative controls the people. This theory, by Michel Foucault, is applicable here. Those in power hope to control what people believe to be true. This requires eliminating all thought that does not fit the dominant narrative. Critical thinking &mdash; a thought process that leads to questioning the status quo and hence those in power &mdash; must therefore be eliminated. 

Justice Thurgood Marshall of the Supreme Court of the United States once wrote: &ldquo;If the First Amendment means anything, it means that a State has no business telling a man, sitting alone in his own house, what books he may read or what films he may watch. Our whole constitutional heritage rebels at the thought of giving government the power to control men&rsquo;s minds.&rdquo;

Our constitutional heritage seems to rebel at the thought of critical thinking entering the minds of our youth.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 28th, 2020.

Like Opinion &amp; Editorial on Facebook, follow @ETOpEd on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces.]]>
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			<title>Social engineering with bubbles</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2256960/social-engineering-with-bubbles</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2256960/social-engineering-with-bubbles#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 27 Jul 20 21:12:45 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Muhammad Hamid Zaman]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Opinion]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2256960</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[But these are details — the core issue is why ban books]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[Some people choose to live in bubbles. For example, the minister who genuinely believes that the Governor of New York adopted his Covid-19 policy based on what Pakistan&rsquo;s government was doing. Or the minister who thinks Pakistani scientists are best in the world. While far from ideal, if that is their reality &mdash; they are entitled to their delusion. The bigger problem is when those in power decide to create bubbles and force everyone in the society to live in them. The grand book banning experiment by the Punjab government is aimed at doing just that. They want to create a world detached from reality and isolated from the rest of the world. They want everyone to live in bubbles. Bubbles that exclude information, facts, history and reality. Bubbles that require schools to omit chapters about human systems from biology textbooks. Bubbles that create a version of history that is inaccurate. Bubbles that penalise if someone sees a cartoon of a pig in a math textbook. Bubbles that force people not to think or not to ask questions. 

Without going into specifics of which books are going to be banned &mdash; let us analyse the core mission which is to do social engineering. Perhaps the government would say its mission is to &ldquo;protect&rdquo; our heritage and values. Unfortunately, the government has it wrong. If the values they want the people to espouse are truly the best, they ought to let people come to that decision themselves. Let people evaluate, engage intellectually and let the values win the battle of ideologies. 

Of course, there are other problems too. As has happened in the past, laws like these are used to target specific groups for political or sectarian gains. A process that is antithetical to a kinder, safer and more equitable society. The whole process of text evaluation remains shrouded in mystery on who is evaluating, what is their qualification and why when we have a million challenges to deal with, this has become a priority. Supposedly there are 30 different committees. Anyone who has worked with the government can tell you how well that is going to go. Then there are arguments about factual inaccuracies (e.g. incorrect birth dates) in textbooks. There are better ways to fix that than banning books. 

But these are details &mdash; the core issue is why ban books. At a time when we need critical thinking, reason, analysis, engagement with history and a reflection of who we are, we ought to be reading more not less. We ought to read things that expand our horizons, challenge us, not read arbitrary and hyper-sanitised versions of reality. This will also impact book publishing and selling. The publishing industry in the country is already in a shambles, books are hard to find, bookstores have become stationery stores and reading culture is on the decline. The last thing a bookstore owner needs to worry about is a surprise raid from authorities with big warrants. 

Finally &mdash; a piece of advice. Those in the business of banning would benefit tremendously from either knowing a bit more history or science (and ideally both). History because such experiments in social engineering have been carried out before (think USSR and the utopia their official books tried to teach) and reflect on how that went. Science because anyone who works with bubbles can tell you they are quite unreliable when it comes to grand scale engineering. I would suggest they do that sooner than later, lest any history or science be banned by a zealous member of one of the committees. 

And before they ban him as well, maybe those in power could benefit from reading Pablo Neruda when he said, &ldquo;You can cut all the flowers, but you cannot keep spring from coming.&rdquo;

Published in The Express Tribune, July 28th, 2020.

Like Opinion &amp; Editorial on Facebook, follow @ETOpEd on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces.]]>
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			<title>PHA to set up library at Jinnah Garden</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2256702/pha-to-set-up-library-at-jinnah-garden</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2256702/pha-to-set-up-library-at-jinnah-garden#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 25 Jul 20 20:51:31 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[APP]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Punjab]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2256702</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[First in the history of Bagh-e-Jinnah]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The Parks &amp; Horticulture Authority (PHA) will set up a library at Jinnah Garden, also known as Bagh-e-Jinnah, to facilitate book readers in the city. PHA Director General (DG) Asma Ijaz Cheema visited the site on Saturday and checked records of books and facilities to be provided in the library. 

She said that for the first time in the history of Bagh-e-Jinnah, the public library was being set up which will soon be made functional. &ldquo;It will provide an additional facility to those who will come to Jinnah Garden for sightseeing and entertainment.&rdquo; 

Published in The Express Tribune, July 26th, 2020.]]>
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			<title>Translations bring in fragrances of other cultures, languages</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2256424/translations-bring-in-fragrances-of-other-cultures-languages</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2256424/translations-bring-in-fragrances-of-other-cultures-languages#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 24 Jul 20 09:06:39 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Zulfiqar Baig]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Islamabad]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2256424</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA['Translations are a breath of fresh air']]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[Translations of literary works in different languages and cultures help open a window to the fragrances of those languages and cultures.


This was stated by the Federal Minister for Education Shafqat Mahmood on Thursday while addressing an online seminar on the subject of &ldquo;Translations of World Literature in the Punjabi Language&rdquo;. The webinar had been organised by the Pakistan Academy of Letters (PAL).

&ldquo;Translations are a breath of fresh air for the Gulistan-e-Adab of any language and work as fresh blood for the body,&rdquo; Mehmood said, adding that translations help adorn literature with the gems of other languages.

Moreover, it also ignites a rage in the mind and enhances the taste of readers and writers, thereby enhancing the understanding of life and develops a way of behaving, he said.

Punjabi literature, the education minister said, is very rich and fertile which started in the 12th century with the poetry of Baba Farid.

It is a fact that at every stage of the evolution of literature, translation and translators are at the forefront, he said.

He added that modern Punjabi literature is energetic, diverse and influential and is one of the foremost works of literature on the world literary scene, adding that translations are one of the most effective means to introduce fresh ideas into another language.

Outlining his definition of &lsquo;translation&rsquo;, the minister said that it represents an evolutionary process whereby knowledge of different civilizations, societies and cultures are transferred to another language as well as knowledge and arts and scholars are irrigated with new sources.

Mahmood said that through translation, positive attitudes and thoughts about historical consciousness and the continuous evolutionary process of history develop.

&ldquo;Different civilizations, culture, history and civilization can be understood [through translated texts].&rdquo;

PAL Chairman Dr Yousuf Khushk said that the importance of translation in the fields of literature and culture is clear. The translation of creative literature from one language to another helps associate closely with other civilizations.

He said that the regional languages of Pakistan offer a mirror to the national culture.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 24th, 2020.]]>
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			<title>Work and life of Munir Badini hailed</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2254169/work-and-life-of-munir-badini-hailed</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2254169/work-and-life-of-munir-badini-hailed#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 09 Jul 20 21:30:08 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Islamabad]]></category><category><![CDATA[Balochistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2254169</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Over 100 novels written by Munir Ahmad Badini in the Balochi language]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[Over 100 novels written by Munir Ahmad Badini in the Balochi language are an asset of Balochi and Balochistan&rsquo;s literary heritage.

These views were expressed by Qazi Javed during an online meeting held in honour of Kamal-e-Fun Award 2018 winner Badini. The online event had been organised by the Pakistan Academy of Letters (PAL).

Talking about his writings and life, Badini said that everything that he has done has been in the service of knowledge and literature.

&ldquo;I have been attached to books since childhood and when I started writing, I wrote what I had felt and saw around me,&rdquo; the writer said, adding, &ldquo;The award has inspired me to write even more.&rdquo;

PAL Chairman Dr Yousuf Khushk said that Badini espouses the dignity of Pakistani literature.

&ldquo;No writer in any language has written so many novels,&rdquo; he said, adding that Badini had written short stories and dramas as well. 

Most of his novels, he said, cover the social, cultural situation of Baloch and Balochistan. He does not consider literature to be philosophy, he talks about humanity along with philosophical things in his writings.

Qazi Javed said that Badini has enriched Balochi literature with his plays, novels and travelogues. They cover topics such as life, justice, morality, freedom, and human conscience.

&ldquo;Inside every creator, there is an anxious soul that brings things out and the writer presents in his writings,&rdquo; he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 10th, 2020.]]>
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			<title>SHC orders Sindh govt to set up digital library</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2252873/shc-orders-sin-govt-to-set-up-digital-library</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2252873/shc-orders-sin-govt-to-set-up-digital-library#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 01 Jul 20 20:51:39 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2252873</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Karachi Gymkhana receives permission for construction on its premises]]>
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				<![CDATA[The Sindh High Court (SHC) gave the order on Wednesday for a digital library to be set up in the province while hearing a plea pertaining to the establishment of electronic libraries in Sindh.

A single bench, comprising Justice Salahuddin Panhwar, directed the deputy commissioners of all 14 districts to submit reports regarding the use of library funds and summoned libraries director-general and culture department secretary in a personal capacity at the next hearing.

A report about the finance department and technical education has been presented before the court, which stated that while there were only 21 libraries operational under the culture department, enough staff for 175 libraries was present.

The report added that the funds were issued for all the libraries, but none of them were used for the purpose.

The court sought a report regarding the current situation of libraries in Sindh within 10 days, warning the relevant authorities of contempt proceedings otherwise.

The court also summoned the Sindh Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority managing director, Benazir Bhutto Shaheed University of Technology and Skill Development Khairpur vice-chancellor and registrar at the next hearing.

Moreover, the court directed the authorities concerned to immediately issue the funds for Shamsul Ulma Daud Pota Library and submit a quarterly report regarding the Sindhiana Encyclopedia.

Further, the court also sought a report about the removal of the names of famous personalities from the roads, parks and libraries and directed to restore them.

The court further directed the Sindh chief secretary and relevant authorities to reserve funds for the establishment of electronic libraries in the budget of the current fiscal year.

The hearing was adjourned till August 10.

Construction at gymkhana

The SHC also permitted on Wednesday Karachi Gymkhana&#39;s (KG) administration to carry out construction inside its premises while hearing a contempt of court plea against Karachi Commissioner Iftikhar Ali Shallwani, Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) and other relevant authorities.

Shallwani and other parties submitted their reply over the contempt of court plea, maintaining that the gymkhana building was part of the city&#39;s cultural heritage, which is why the Supreme Court had restricted new construction on its premises. They added that the KG administration wanted to construct a parking lot in its tennis court.

The petitioner&#39;s counsel, though, claimed that KG did not come under the banner of cultural heritage and could not be considered a heritage building through the issuance of a single letter. He maintained that a gazetted letter needed to be issued for KG&#39;s inclusion among the heritage buildings.

He further claimed that Shallwani and the SBCA did not have the authority to restrict construction in a private building, adding that SBCA was not bothered by hundreds of illegal constructions in the city.

&quot;Where was the SBCA when dozens of people died in the Lyari building collapse?&quot; he questioned.

The court permitted the KG administration to continue construction and adjourned the hearing till July 15, while issuing bailable arrest warrants for Sindh Antiquities and Archaeology Department director-general Manzoor Kanasro and the Civil Lines SHO.

Verdict annulled

A two-member bench, comprising Justice Muhammad Iqbal Kalhoro and Justice Abdul Mobin Lakho, accepted two convicts&#39; appeal against the death sentences awarded to them in a murder case.

The petitioners&#39; counsel claimed the eyewitness presented by the police in court was a special agent of the police who was made a witness in three other cases as well, adding that his statement was based on mala-fide intentions.

The court annulled the verdict given by an anti-terrorism court (ATC) to the convicts, Amir Khan alias Totla and Masood Ansari.

The ATC had sentenced the two accused to death in January 2010 for allegedly murdering a shopkeeper in Shah Faisal Colony.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 2nd, 2020.]]>
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			<title>Twitter overjoyed as residents help elderly neighbour stay 'sane' during lockdown</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2208230/twitter-overjoyed-residents-help-elderly-neighbour-stay-sane-lockdown</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2208230/twitter-overjoyed-residents-help-elderly-neighbour-stay-sane-lockdown#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 28 Apr 20 08:29:57 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Social Desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[World]]></category><category><![CDATA[Technology]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2208230</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Images of 72-year-old woman's handwritten plea, thank you note go viral on social media]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[In a heartwarming incident shared on Twitter by London-based Bon Cliff, social distancing seems to draw together an elderly lady and her neighbours during these dark times when there’s only a faint glimmer of hope.

Shared on April 23rd, Bon Cliff wrote:

"Yesterday an elderly woman in my block taped the first note to the lobby door, so my neighbours and I dropped off some books/DVDs for her. Today she stuck up a second note"

https://twitter.com/conniebliff/status/1253317188771069952

In her first note, the 72-year-old woman had asked people of her neighbourhood to share any books or movies they may have to help make self-isolation go by faster.

Countries across the globe are taking unprecedented measures to reduce people-to-people contact in a bid to contain the spread of coronavirus.

While measures such as imposing restrictions on travelling, banning mass gatherings, closing of non-essential public places and ensuring a physical distance of two metres from others are now a norm in many places, being in isolation has, ironically, brought people closer in many ways.

This emotive story comes full circle with a succeeding note, in which the lady writes: "Thank you, everyone. I am most touched and appreciative of your generosity and kindness. When I have finished the books and DVDs etc, I shall leave them on the little table in the lobby for everyone to enjoy (it will take a while). PS You have saved an old bird's sanity."

Here is how people on Twitter reacted to this touching incident:

"I am SOBBING," said a Twitter user, whilst another wrote, "Love this...my elderly Mum had a note put through her door listing every neighbour in her street, names and numbers in case she needs anything. Next door neighbour is shopping for her...this really is bringing out the best in most people"

https://twitter.com/chloeglovemusic/status/1253317551259443203

https://twitter.com/jinnyliz2/status/1253959125538615297

"We must protect this woman at all costs," read one comment.

https://twitter.com/helheimerr/status/1253959235248877569

One boomer even analysed the elderly woman's handwriting. "You can even see the difference between the photos in the handwriting: the first one is very stressed and twitchy, the second is much more relaxed and harmonic. You did wonders to this person!"

https://twitter.com/Atastar95/status/1253963498482270209

The tweet currently has over 67,000 retweets and more than 494,500 likes.]]>
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			<title>Children avoid books during Pakistan's Covid-19 lockdown</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2207758/children-avoid-books-pakistans-covid-19-lockdown</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2207758/children-avoid-books-pakistans-covid-19-lockdown#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 27 Apr 20 01:38:59 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[​ Our Correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2207758</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Parents express concerns about children spending most of the time playing games]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[An initiative of cable television (TV) operators to launch an educational channel for children to keep them engaged in curricular activities has failed to hold the attention of children. Parents have expressed concerns about their children, who spend most of their time playing games on cellphones or surfing the internet.

With the city in lockdown and the arrival of Ramazan were key factors in children drifting away from educational activities, parents said.

“Their daily routines have wreaked havoc,” parents said. They added that since the lockdown has been enforced, their children usually sleep in the morning after offering Fajr prayers and wake up late in the afternoon.

Owing to this, they miss classes which are broadcasted early in the morning television channels. Further, the Punjab government has not provided them with course books for the next academic year as yet due to the lockdown.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 27th, 2020.]]>
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			<title>J.K Rowling says she's fully recovered from likely coronavirus</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2192499/j-k-rowling-says-shes-fully-recovered-likely-coronavirus</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2192499/j-k-rowling-says-shes-fully-recovered-likely-coronavirus#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 07 Apr 20 05:18:59 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[REUTERS]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Life &amp; Style]]></category><category><![CDATA[Art and Books]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2192499</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA['Harry Potter' author took to Twitter to reveal what she's been going through]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling said on Monday she had recovered from a suspected case of COVID-19 after two weeks of illness.

“For the last two weeks I’ve had all symptoms of C19, although I haven’t been tested,” Rowling said on her Twitter account. She also shared a video of a breathing technique that she said had helped her manage her worst symptoms and had been recommended by her husband, who is a doctor in the U.K.

https://twitter.com/jk_rowling/status/1247121896082157568

“I really am completely recovered and wanted to share a technique that’s recommended by doctors, costs nothing, has no nasty side effects but could help you/your loved ones a lot, as it did me,” she added.

Chris Hemsworth provides guided meditation for kids amid pandemic 

Rowling, 54, whose Harry Potter book series and subsequent films have millions of fans worldwide, was the latest celebrity to announce they had recovered from the disease caused by a new coronavirus that has taken the lives of more than 70,000 people worldwide.

The growing list includes actors Tom Hanks and Idris Elba, U.S. pop singer Pink and heir to the British throne Prince Charles.

https://twitter.com/jk_rowling/status/1245320037356929025

Rowling last week announced that Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, the first book in the series about the boy wizard, will be available for free worldwide as an ebook and audiobook throughout April, as part of an initiative to help parents, carers and teachers entertain housebound children.

Have something to add to the story? Share it in the comments below]]>
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			<title>#Coronavirus: 7 books about deadly, infectious diseases</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2175998/coronavirus-7-books-deadly-infectious-diseases</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2175998/coronavirus-7-books-deadly-infectious-diseases#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 14 Mar 20 09:46:29 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Entertainment Desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Life &amp; Style]]></category><category><![CDATA[Art and Books]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2175998</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Over the centuries, many world famous writers have told stories about contagious epidemics...]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Coronavirus, a word that seems to be on everyone's lips lately. And it's no surprise since the fast-moving infection originating in China has spread to more than 110 countries and claimed more than 4,600 lives.

While the vast majority of known cases are in China, the coronavirus is now spreading faster outside the country than within. Italy, so far, has the highest number of confirmed infections outside China.

The World Health Organization has now declared its spread a global pandemic. However, coronavirus is not the first pandemic to happen in history. Great scholars and writers have penned down what it was like to live through monumental infectious diseases and the effect it had on society at the time.

Here are some famous works throughout history on the topic.

Giovanni Boccaccio: 'The Decameron' (1349-1353)

[caption id="attachment_2176041" align="alignnone" width="625"] PHOTO: FILE[/caption]

Seven women and three men flee the plague to a country house near Florence. As cruel as the descriptions are at the beginning, the 100 novellas in the collection are surprisingly entertaining. To pass the time, each of the fugitives determines a topic per day and everyone has to tell a corresponding story. Subtle or crude, tragic or comical — a whole world unfolds.

Thomas More: 'Utopia' (1516)

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On a faraway island, a sailor discovers an ideal society: There is equality among the locals, it is democratic, ownership is communal. It was the opposite of life in England at the time. And, there were no epidemics, unlike England that had suffered from the plague more than once. The above photo shows Dresden Semper Opera dancers as "Utopians" in a musical theater project based on More's novel.

Francis Bacon: 'New Atlantis' (1627)

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Bacon envisioned a utopian island by the name of Bensalem, home to the people of the lost city of Atlantis. They are very involved in research and science, and inventions including the submarine, wind turbines and hearing aids are anticipated on "New Atlantis." Foreign seafarers were initially quarantined to protect islands from possible diseases.

#Coronavirus: 6 ways to effectively work from home

Daniel Defoe: 'A Journal of the Plague Year' (1722)

[caption id="attachment_2176047" align="alignnone" width="625"] PHOTO: FILE[/caption]

Daniel Defoe, five years old and whisked away to the countryside to keep him safe during the Great Plague in London, relied on eyewitness accounts and meticulous research for his description of the devastating events. Defoe tells the tale of a city in a state of emergency, faced with hysteria, superstition, unemployment, looting and fraud.

Albert Camus: 'The Plague' (1947)

[caption id="attachment_2176049" align="alignnone" width="625"] PHOTO: FILE[/caption]

In Camus' "The Plague," a doctor by the name of Bernard Rieux describes how first rats die of the plague, followed by thousands of citizens in the Algerian port city of Oran. Everyone takes a different approach to the fight against the Black Death, but in the end, it kills the innocent and the ruthless alike.

Stephen King: 'The Stand' (1978)

[caption id="attachment_2176052" align="alignnone" width="625"] PHOTO: FILE[/caption]

A mutant virus breaks out of a military research laboratory and kills almost the entire US population. Only few are immune, left to assert themselves in a depopulated world with a collapsed infrastructure. Two groups — basically the "good" and the "evil" — emerge, both headed by charismatic leaders.

Love in the Time of Cholera (1985)

[caption id="attachment_2176055" align="alignnone" width="625"] PHOTO: FILE[/caption]

Love in the Time of Cholera is a celebration of life over death, love over despair, and health over sickness. It is the story of Florentino Ariza, who was rejected by Fermina Daza in his youth.

Have something to add to the story? Share it in the comments below. ]]>
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			<title>Understanding literary history imperative</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2171606/understanding-literary-history-imperative</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2171606/understanding-literary-history-imperative#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 08 Mar 20 04:43:19 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[APP]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2171606</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[National Literary Festival aims to revive the love for literature in the young generation]]>
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				<![CDATA[Leader of the House in Senate Senator Syed Shibli Faraz Saturday said understanding literary history is imperative for the growth of society as it will help to get rid of conflicting ideas and refine thought process which is crucial for development of the nation.

He expressed these views at the opening ceremony of the National Literary Festival of the National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), a press release said.

He apologised to the youth for not being able to give them the Pakistan as envisioned by Father of the Nation Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, and passed on the buck to the next generation. "This is not the end as Pakistan's youth can bring change collectively,” he said.

It is important to focus on academics and grasp knowledge from every important book, Shibli Faraz said thanking the varsity’s administration for inviting him.

He said that it was an honour to be amongst the students of such a distinguished university and that in order to grow, they must take every opportunity to acquaint themselves with works of art and literature.

The event was organised by the NUST Literary Circle and will entail a series programs that will promote literary activities and arts and culture in Pakistan.  The youth will also get an opportunity to interact with celebrities of art and literature.

The National Literary Festival is an iconic event that aims to revive the love for literature in the young generation. The festival provides a platform for young budding poets and prose writers to recite their work ; in addition to generating debates on an array of subjects including those that are not often openly discussed.  

Published in The Express Tribune, March 8th, 2020.]]>
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			<title>RCCI backs efforts for reviving lost art of storytelling</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2162955/rcci-backs-efforts-reviving-lost-art-storytelling</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2162955/rcci-backs-efforts-reviving-lost-art-storytelling#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 24 Feb 20 04:13:50 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[DNA]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2162955</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Chamber holds session of ‘dastangoi’]]>
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				<![CDATA[The Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) organised a ceremony titled ′Dastangoi′ or storytelling, aiming to revive the centuries old art form.

Badar Khan, renowned storyteller, artist and script writer started with the story “Dastaan Shehar Lahore Ki”. Badar performed for almost 90 minutes. Badar Khan narrated the origins of Lahore at the birth of Prince Loh, how the gates of Lahore were erected and demolished and what was the life inside those gates and myths about the names.

Then he talked about Data Sahib, Buzurg Bacha Ghoray Shah, the horse riders who constructed Ferozepur Road, Hasso Taili a famous character of old Lahore, the story of Koh-i-Noor Diamond, the famous herbalists or hakeems of Lahore, story of Guru Arjun Dev and Chandoo Shah, Sultan the contractor, wrestling arenas of Lahore, the streets and mohallahs of old city Lahore.

RCCI President Saboor Malik in a brief commented that there is a need to revive storytelling art as in civilized world it’s the art and literature that enrich one’s history. It was important for the youth as well to know their culture and stories of the past as most of the youngsters are unaware of their roots, he added.

Group Leader Suhail Altaf said that Persian and Arab storytellers brought a lot of interesting dastans to the subcontinent, but the story of Amir Hamza was the one that found lasting popularity in the region.

Audience from all walks of life attended the dastaangoi and it was surprising that still people wanted such activities in Rawalpindi.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 24th, 2020.

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			<title>Lack of facilities blamed for declining reading trend in schools</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2162944/lack-facilities-blamed-declining-reading-trend-schools</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2162944/lack-facilities-blamed-declining-reading-trend-schools#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 24 Feb 20 04:09:19 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Adnan Lodhi]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Punjab]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2162944</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Speakers stress conducive environment necessary to develop interest]]>
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				<![CDATA[A lack of resources, infrastructure and facilities such as libraries in government schools is the basic reason for a decline in reading habit among children, said speakers during a session of Lahore Literary Festival (LLF) on Sunday.

“To develop the reading habit among children, schoolteachers should create a friendly environment in classrooms,” a panellist said.

These views were expressed on the final day of LLF in a session titled ‘How to make students read more’ in Alhamra Hall 3. Non-governmental organisation SAHE’s Managing Director Abbas Rashid, educationist Mehar Rahman, educationist Amna Khalid, Nadia Parveen, Maher Janeen Agha and businessperson Sayed Babar Ali were among the speakers in the session. They discussed the various aspects of developing reading habits among children. A large number of students, children and other participants attended the session.

“When teachers create interest among children to read at an early age, then other aspects of teaching become effortless,” the speakers added. “Reading habit is a basic thing for future life and personality development of schoolchildren.”

The dropout ratio among children is increasing in schools and there is need for our teachers to realise how much reading habits are important nowadays, they further said. “It is important that teachers know about the interests of their students and also observe which languages the children take interest in and read.”

Teachers should not overburden students and just see that concepts and fluency of the kids are improving instead of focusing on other things, said Rashid. “In current era, we should engage children regarding reading books. Our education system is not appreciable in this regard as there are many issues, including lack of resources.”

In Gilgit-Baltistan there are also issues of a lack of infrastructure but things are getting better with the help of UNESCO and other NGOs, he added. “The entire focus of schoolteachers is on curriculum and completion of course. In such a system, we are ignoring the importance of book reading.”

For improving reading habits, teachers should encourage students and offer the best environment to them, said Parveen.

“We should allow some freedom to children to select books according to their choice and not impose our suggestions on them. Teachers should observe and know how much children understand what they read.”

Schoolteachers should also arrange reading activities at class that encourage students, said Khalid. “We should train teachers according to the demands and challenges of the 21st century. Things are changing: the environment in classes and schools are changing along with developments around the world.”

Demand in job markets has changed around the world and teachers should keep up with such developments in schools, said Agha.

Teachers should try to become mentors and ideals for their students and also improve their interaction with children, said Ali.

Meanwhile, on the final day of the LLF, a group of girls, mostly students and supporters of the ‘Aurat March’, held a demonstration. The girls chanted slogans for women’s rights in the country and also narrated the stories of women who are struggling in the society.

“We will arrange a march that will commence from Lahore Press Club and end at Alhamra,” said a participant. “This year, Aurat March will be celebrated with a vision to encourage more female participants for their rights.”

Published in The Express Tribune, February 24th, 2020.

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			<title>Book highlights era of Abbasid caliphate</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2161885/book-highlights-era-abbasid-caliphate</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2161885/book-highlights-era-abbasid-caliphate#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 22 Feb 20 04:47:15 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Muhammad Shahzad]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Punjab]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2161885</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Author says most incidents in book are documented]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[Abbassid caliphs were preoccupied with the thoughts of Yajuj Majuj (gog and magog), they once sent a messenger to check if the wall of the city had fallen after rumors of attacks, said Musharraf Ali Farooqi during a session ‘Book Launch- An illustrated Talk on The Merman and the Book of Power: A Qissa’ on the first day of the eighth edition of Lahore Literary Festival (LLF) held at Alhamra on Friday.

He maintained that most of the incidents written in the book were documented. The session was moderated by Usman Tanweer Malik.

While speaking about the book, Farooqi said that while tracing the history of the Abbassids, the rumors of an attack by the residents of that time were viewed as fall of the apocalypse. “They would give up all of their business and the whole empire would come to a standstill,” he said.

He further highlighted that the seventh Abbasid caliph Mamoon Rasheed once dispatched an army with the pretext to engage Yajuj Majuj at the Syrian border so that the caliph can get time to bow before God with ummah.

While narrating about his evolutionary experience of growing up, the author said that the challenge before an author would be the execution of the story rather than imagination.

Cultural icon: Revisiting Rahman Baba’s poetry

He continued that the perception of Mongols as barbarians was not true. “They were empire builders, they looked for people who could work for them,” he said. “They had an idea of what sort of literature and art to be preserved and patronized,” he added.

He quoted Qazwini who did the job of selection of books from the libraries.

In another section, Book-2- ‘Kitab-e-Zakhira-Sikandar Zulqarnain’ he pointed towards Qazwini's research about marine creatures with human features. He quoted a few of these like The Seikh of sweet speech (stole and bartered the secrets of conjugal beds), the man of the sea (Tues offending his benefactor), Sheikh Yehudi- a demon tortoise whose reincarnation was interrupted.

He also spoke about Qazwini's theories of two kinds of beasts; complex beast humans and beasts of the apocalypse.

He continued that people were extremely afraid of Dajjal at that time. It was propagated at that time that the end of the world was going on when Halagu attacked Baghdad.

He also pointed towards ‘Tannen,’ a beast that was attributed to causing a stir in the sea. “The tides in the sea were reportedly caused by its movement,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 22nd, 2020.]]>
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			<title>Acclaimed Barbadian poet who exhaled Caribbean's Afro roots dies</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2151180/acclaimed-barbadian-poet-exhaled-caribbeans-afro-roots-dies</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2151180/acclaimed-barbadian-poet-exhaled-caribbeans-afro-roots-dies#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 06 Feb 20 05:45:20 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[REUTERS]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Life &amp; Style]]></category><category><![CDATA[Art and Books]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2151180</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Kamau gained international recognition for his prolific writings that asserted the identity of Caribbean peoples]]>
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				<![CDATA[Internationally acclaimed Barbadian poet, essayist and historian Edward Kamau Brathwaite, whose prolific writings sought to assert the identity of Caribbean peoples and their African roots, died at his home in Barbados on Tuesday. He was 89.

Born Lawson Edward Brathwaite in 1930 in the Barbadian capital Bridgetown when the nation was still under British colonial rule, he later adopted the Kenyan name Kamau, by which he was often simply known.

A jazz lover, Brathwaite was known for writing in and exalting the English spoken in the Caribbean with its African rhythms and timbre which he coined “nation language,” considering the term “dialect” pejorative.

[caption id="attachment_2151185" align="alignnone" width="625"] PHOTO: FILE[/caption]

Among his most celebrated works are the poetry volumes The Arrivants: A New World Trilogy,  Ancestors, Born to Slow Horses, and Elegguas, as well as scholarly books like History of the Voice: The Development of Nation Language in Anglophone Caribbean Poetry.

Barbadian Prime Minister Mia Mottley praised Brathwaite as “easily one of the titans of post-colonial literature and the arts” in a statement to the press on Tuesday.

"His chronicling of our past through his magnificent works shone a powerful light on the realities of our present and, in turn, guided our sense of self and national identity.”

Educated at the British universities Cambridge and Sussex, he spent the early years of his career working as an education officer on the British colony of the Gold Coast, staying after it became independent as Ghana.

Is Rupi Kaur the writer of the decade?

"Brathwaite familiarized himself with Ghanaian traditional verse and pre-colonial African myths, which would be influential to his own writing,” according to the jury of the Neustadt International Prize for Literature, which he won in 1994, edging out other finalists including Nobel laureates Toni Morrison, Seamus Heaney and Svetlana Alexievich.

[caption id="attachment_2151188" align="alignnone" width="625"] PHOTO: FILE[/caption]

He later returned to the Caribbean, working in Jamaica and Barbados, eventually taking up the position in 1992 of professor of comparative literature at New York University.

Brathwaite was the recipient of numerous international awards during his life, including a Guggenheim Fellowship, the Griffin Poetry Prize, the gold Musgrave Medal for Literature from the Institute of Jamaica, and Cuba’s Casa de las Americas Prize.

Many critics, however, felt he was robbed of the Nobel Prize in Literature, given his rich and singular contribution to Caribbean writing.

Have something to add to the story? Share it in the comments below.]]>
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			<title>Textbooks worth millions gutted in Attock fire</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2151059/textbooks-worth-millions-gutted-attock-fire</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2151059/textbooks-worth-millions-gutted-attock-fire#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 06 Feb 20 04:03:23 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[DNA]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2151059</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[District education official says an inquiry into missing books was underway when the blaze occurred]]>
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				<![CDATA[Thousands of textbooks, worth millions, were reduced to ashes at a depot in Hazro tehsil of Attock early on Wednesday.

Residents living adjacent to the Government High School number 1 alerted police and Rescue 1122 on Wednesday after they saw thick plumes of smoke rise from the school at around 8am.

But before the rescue teams could arrive to put the blaze out, it had engulfed the entire stock of textbooks.

Attock District Emergency Officer Ishfaq Mian said the local Rescue 1122 centre received a call at around 8am about a fire in a school.

A fire brigade and other Rescue 1122 personnel rushed to the site and doused the fire. However, by that time, the books of the Punjab education department had been burnt.

Sources in the education department said that the provincial education department had dispatched some 100,000 books from the Punjab Textbook Board for grades one through 10 to the Hazro tehsil deputy district officer education.

The books were stored at a cluster centre at the Government High School number 1 in Hazro.

The books were supposed to have been distributed amongst students studying in 75 primary, secondary, high and higher secondary, boys and girls schools of the tehsil once the new academic year commenced.

Sources claimed that the district administration was still preparing lists for the distribution of the books to schools as per the respective student strength.

However, they claimed that as many as 25,000 textbooks for various grades and subjects had already gone “missing” under mysterious circumstances.

Sources claimed that some culprits had allegedly sold the books in the market and to cover up the matter, the remaining books had been set alight.

Sources further said that an inquiry by the provincial education authorities in the matter is underway to ascertain the facts.

Residents have raised questions over the state of security at the school, noting that despite the presence of CCTV cameras and presence of a watchman, how could unidentified people break into the school and set the textbooks on fire.

When contacted District Education Officer-Secondary Raja Amjad Iqbal confirmed that around 25,000 textbooks had gone missing as per the inventory and that an inquiry team from the provincial education department is conducting a probe to ascertain the facts.

Responding to another question about the books being burnt on Wednesday morning, he said that the watchman was on duty at the time and that he did not see anyone break the locks to set books on fire.

He said that a team of district administration comprising officials of education department and district monitoring team is probing the fire incident and would fix responsibility.  

Published in The Express Tribune, February 6th, 2020.]]>
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			<title>Pakistan’s first street library inaugurated in Karachi</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2125009/pakistans-first-street-library-inaugurated-karachi</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2125009/pakistans-first-street-library-inaugurated-karachi#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 26 Dec 19 03:54:16 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[​ Our Correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2125009</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Six more libraries will be established in other parts of city]]>
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				<![CDATA[The first street library in Pakistan, with over 600 books on different subjects, was inaugurated in the city on Wednesday, on the occasion of the 144th birth anniversary of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.

The street library is located at the Commissioner's Corner at Metropole near Quaid-e-Azam House.

The library, which was set up on the directives of Karachi Commissioner Iftikhar Shallwani, was inaugurated by Sindh Chief Secretary Syed Mumtaz Ali Shah.  Other senior officials, civil society members, political activists, literary figures and others attended the inaugural ceremony.

Karachi’s public libraries rot in decay

Appreciating the establishment of the library, Shah said that the library will promote reading culture. He announced that similar kinds of libraries will also be established in other cities of the province, including Hyderabad and Sukkur.

Meanwhile, Shallwani said that the idea of setting up a street library was part of his efforts towards the promotion of reading culture in the city. He said all six districts of the city will have such street libraries in the coming days.

According to the commissioner, directives have been issued to all deputy commissioners to set up such libraries as well as make efforts to improve existing government libraries. He also promised that all possible efforts were being made to rehabilitate existing libraries that are run by government institutions.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 26th, 2019.]]>
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			<title>Open Book Library project launched in K-P</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2121551/open-book-library-project-launched-k-p</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2121551/open-book-library-project-launched-k-p#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 20 Dec 19 04:34:03 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[muhammad.haroon]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[K-P]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2121551</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Sudents will benefit from facilities beyond what is offered in traditional libraries]]>
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				<![CDATA[The Adviser to the Chief Minister, Ziaullah Khan Bangash on Thursday inaugurated the ‘Open Book Library’ project in the province, with similar libraries to be set up in all higher secondary schools across the province.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of Open Book Library at Hajifa Aftab Shaheed Secondary School in Peshawar on Thursday, the CM’s advisor said that students will be able to access books on general knowledge, history, Islam, and English in the Open Book Libraries.

Further, students will benefit from facilities beyond what is offered in traditional libraries and help change the existing library culture.

He added that the trend of reading and book friendship amongst students has decreased due to the excessive use of technology. Books, he emphasised, remain an important source of information across the globe. 

Published in The Express Tribune, December 20th, 2019.]]>
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			<title>Excise dept staff vets bogus vehicle registration books</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2114599/excise-dept-staff-vets-bogus-vehicle-registration-books</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2114599/excise-dept-staff-vets-bogus-vehicle-registration-books#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 10 Dec 19 04:14:19 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[rizwan.asif]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Punjab]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2114599</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Cases emerge of vehicle categories being changed illegally]]>
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				<![CDATA[A team of Punjab Excise and Taxation department has reportedly forged the department’s computer software system and changed the records of vehicle categories.

The officials have illegally converted the vehicles into commercial transport vehicles. The vehicles include those with broken, stolen and illegally engineered chassis smuggled on bogus registration books.

A large number of these fraud cases emerged in 2017 before the department’s "Centralised Excise Computer Data" was activated.

The excise officers have begun to apprehend such cases under their "digital audit" during which password-protected digital footprint records of the involved officers are being traced. The most fraudulent cases relate to vehicles with LPT registration series.

Excise dept issues SOPs for registration of auctioned vehicles

Observing the gravity of the situation, Lahore motor branch director has issued a notification making it mandatory for the owners of commercial vehicles to obtain a Punjab Vehicle Inspection and Certification System (VICS) following new registration of their vehicles, which includes a check for the vehicle’s ownership change and category change.

As per preliminary estimates by the excise officials, the number of vehicles changing the category through counterfeiting is in thousands.

More than 200 cases have surfaced in Lahore, Attock, Rawalpindi and Rahim Yar Khan during the last few days in which the category of vehicles was changed after tampering with the computer record.

A new bogus registration book has been released for the vehicle which has been smuggled to another city after changing its category from the regular vehicle into a commercial vehicle. In cases pertaining to Lahore and Attock, the category of sedan vehicles (4 or 5 seaters) was changed into a truck, bus and Mazda wagon.

Sources in the excise department told The Express Tribune that the forgery had been carried out on a large scale and that it had to be investigated throughout the province. Excise personnel used their passwords to tamper with the computer system, change the vehicle category, and issue its bogus registration book.

Fake CNICs, certificates and other documents were also uploaded during the computer submissions made to change the category. The bogus registration books were used for stolen and smuggled commercial vehicles while the original engine and chassis number of these vehicles were removed and replaced by existing vehicle records. Consequently, two cars of the same engine and chassis number were running on the roads, one of which is original and the other one is fake.

Sources revealed that the excise motor vehicle computer software in Punjab was not centralised prior to 2017. While changing the category of the ownership of the vehicle registered in another city, the excise department officials did not have full access to the original data related to the vehicle.

Taking advantage of the loopholes, the fraudulent mafia released thousands of bogus registration books. The corrupt mafia of the excise department used to search through the computer records for older model cars that they believed would not undergo any transaction by their owners for many years in the excise department.

45 ‘smuggled’ cars registered by Sindh excise dept, admits PPP lawmaker

Excise and taxation minister Hafiz Mumtaz Ahmed while confirmed the news of forgery relating to change of category said and that all this has been done by an organised group in the past. A large number of cases have been caught in some other cities, including Lahore, Rahim Yar Khan and Rawalpindi, and we are now conducting a detailed investigation in this regard across the province using our software. We will also seek assistance from Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) if necessary, the provincial minister said, adding that vehicles whose registration is proving to be bogus and counterfeit will be prosecuted while fraudulent excise personnel will be dismissed from the job.

On the other side, the general manager at PITB Faisal Yousuf told The Express Tribune that the excise department computer MIS system was updated first updated in 2006 and then in 2011 and 2017 respectively. In 2017, we centralized the excise motor vehicle data across Punjab. The option to change the category is assigned to specific personnel and each of them has their own assigned password. Hence, the personnel involved in forgery could be exposed by scanning up the digital record of the passwords.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 10th, 2019.]]>
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			<title>Karachi International Book Fair ends today</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2113963/karachi-international-book-fair-ends-today</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2113963/karachi-international-book-fair-ends-today#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 09 Dec 19 04:32:13 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[​ Our Correspondent]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[Govt needs to extend support for organising similar events, says MQM-P leader]]>
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				<![CDATA[Scores of people from all walks of life attended the 15th International Book Fair yesterday (Sunday), as the event neared its end, scheduled to conclude today (Monday).

Attending the fair, Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan leader Khawaja Izharul Hassan reflected that the provincial and the federal government need to extend support for organising such events, adding that they may also consider providing subsidy on books so as to bring expensive books within easy reach of the students.

“Around 80% of students [in the country] belong to the middle class and should be provided free transport, particularly those studying at public schools, so that they may easily approach the book fair’s venue,” Hassan added.

Speaking about the “dying culture of book reading,” former IT minister of Sindh, Raza Haroon lamented that the new generation has lost touch with the trend of reading. Elaborating further on the implications of the dying culture, he said, “Books house knowledge and make us human.”

Martial Arts Grand Master Ashraf Tai, who also attended the fair, spoke along similar lines as Haroon. He said that one cannot acquire complete knowledge [on any subject] without reading books and developing a reading habit leads to innovative thinking.

With the five-day international book fair, which began on December 5, nearing conclusion, its organisers, Waqar Mateen and Nadeem Akhtar, sought visitors’ feedback to improve it in the coming years. Most visitors appreciated their efforts, saying that books from good publishers were available at a reasonable price at the fair. They stressed that books will continue to be of great importance, no matter in what way the society changes and said that parents should bring along their children to the fair.

As many as 330 stalls were set up at the fair, featuring books on various subjects from religion to politics.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 9th, 2019.]]>
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