KARACHI: In Pakistan, people are unfortunately distancing themselves from books and the reading culture is on the decline. Electronic gadgets such as iPods and tablets are consuming our young generation’s time, leaving them with no time to read a book.

However, the problem is not with our youth but with our society. There is no denying the fact that in our society no one promotes book launches and reading materials with similar fervour as they promote new mobile phones and gadgets. Here people take pride in having the latest mobile phone but no one even cares if a new book has been launched or if there is a book club meeting. Everyone seems to be aware of different brands of gadgets but no one seems to know the names of bestselling classic books, let alone the names of their authors.

We have few libraries in the country and the ones we do have are poorly maintained or are not accessible to the masses.

The authorities concerned should consider building at least two libraries in every town. Our coming generations will benefit from this.

Aroma Wasim

Published in The Express Tribune, October 12^th, 2018.

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