ISLAMABAD (PR): Advisor to Prime Minister on National History and Literary Heritage (NH&LH), Irfan Siddiqui in a meeting held here formally approved the proposals submitted by National Book Foundation(NBF) to arrange a four-day annual National Book Fair on April 06, this year.
The meeting was held to discuss the arrangements for National Book Fair which is the part of the NHLH Division’s activities to mark National Book Day on April22.
Speaking during the meeting, Advisor to Prime Minister, Irfan Siddiqui said “Promotion of book reading culture is the most effective way to instill human values of peace, love and brotherhood among the people”.
He said arranging National Book Fair every year is an excellent tradition of National Book Foundation (NBF) which will be carried forward this year too with a rekindled spirit. National Book Fair Being held from April 6-9 at Pak-China Friendship Centre, will display over 120 book stalls by the prominent book publishers from across the country as well from China, Iran, Turkey, Egypt, Tunis, Tajikistan, Azerbaijan and Oman, he said.
The four-day activity will feature a number of literature friendly activities including launching ceremonies of books, literary sessions, dialogues and discussion programmes and special programmes for children. Irfan Siddiqui hoped this book fair will serve as treat for book lovers of federal capital and surroundings who will be able to purchase books of their choice on discounted rates as well as participate in number of book related activities. Manging Director NBF, Dr. Inam ul Haq Javeid briefed the Advisor to Prime Minister about the proposed arrangements for the National Book Fair in detail. He said around four lac book lovers visited the three-day National Book Fair last year while the books worth Rs. 20 million were sold. However, this year too, a huge number of visitors are expected to participate in this festival. NBF is striving to make best possible arrangements for extending maximum facilitation to the visitors, he added.
Siddiqui directed the officials to ensure special arrangements for women and children who will be visiting the National Book Fair. The Advisor also formed different committees for supervising the arrangements of this mega event. The meeting was also attended by Federal Secretary for NH&LH Division, Engineer Aamir Hasan and officials of the division and NBF.