ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Terming books as the best source of learning and knowledge, President Mamnoon Hussain on Friday said promotion of book-reading culture can reform the society suffering with the ills of extremist mindset and educational and moral decline.
Addressing at the seventh annual book fair organized by National Book Foundation (NBF), the President said a nation can achieve glory through knowledge and research and can produce scholars like Ibn-e-Khaldun, Bu Ali Sina (Avicena) and Ibn-e-Rushd (Averroes).
President Mamnoon Hussain emphasized the promotion of literature through contemporary means such as digitalizing the content in addition to the traditional mode like books.
He said there was a need to focus on setting up soft libraries on internet to maximize its reach particularly to the youth.
The President lauded several initiatives taken by NBF for strengthening the bond of books with readers including children, youth and even travellers.
He expressed confidence that holding of Book Fair would encourage the readers to reconnect with books.
He asked NBF and the History and Literature Heritage Division for selecting quality books from across the globe and publish it locally for its easy availability at cheaper rates.
Addressing the literati attending the event at Pak China Friendship Centre here, Mamnoon Hussain called upon them to play their role in elimination of corruption from the society.
He said writers and intellectuals through their pen could highlight corruption as a social evil and guide the public towards right path.
The President said several ongoing mega development projects in the country including China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), Diamer and Bhasha dams, Gwadar’s international airport and motorways would change the destiny of the country.
He urged upon the nation to back these development projects and do not pay heed to the unnecessary criticism by a section of people in the country.
Prime Minister’s Advisor on Literature and National Heritage Irfan Siddiqi also spoke on the occasion.
Source: APP
