Capital’s book fair attracts large crowds

Official says steps being taken to revive book reading habit

ISLAMABAD:

The government is taking steps to revive the habit of book reading among the general public to preserve our cultural heritage and to continue maintaining a connection with the past, said Secretary Information and Broadcasting Shahera Shahid.

Addressing the launching ceremony of the book fair organised on Wednesday in connection with 75th-year celebrations of Pakistan’s creation, she said that unfortunately, the educated people had almost given up on reading books.

The event was organised by the Information Service Academy (ISA) spearheaded by Saeed Javed, the Director General and Directorate General of Electronic Media and Publications.

The Secretary Information said there was a dire need to inculcate this habit among the younger generation so that they could learn about the glorious past. She appreciated the management of a leading book shop chain for sponsoring the event and expressed the hope that the visitors would not only enjoy the book fair but they would also take along books from here.

Shahera announced that a digital exhibition would be organised by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on Thursday in which 75 years of Pakistan would be depicted digitally. She said that Pakistan Television Corporation and Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation would also arrange special events to pay tributes to legendary actors and performers.

Moreover, she said that the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting had arranged to re-record the national anthem which would be unveiled by the Prime Minister on August 14.

Furthermore, she clarified that there has been no change in lyrics and tune of the anthem but it has been recorded with the latest equipment. She said that the new recording of the national anthem was a gift to the nation on the occasion of the platinum jubilee celebrations of Pakistan’s creation and her ministry was proud of it.

The secretary information said that 75 years celebrations of Pakistan had started about two weeks ago and all the attached departments of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting were contributing to these celebrations.

Besides senior officials from the ministry, a large number of people from all walks of life attended the ceremony.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, August 11^th, 2022.