ISLAMABAD: Governor Balochistan Mohammad Khan Achakzai has granted rupees one million to the National Institute of Historical and Cultural Research (NIHCR), Centre of Excellence, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad for further expansion of its library.
The Governor announced this while inaugurating Balochistan Books Corner set up at the NIHCR Resource Centre here recently.
In his welcome address, the NIHCR Director Prof Dr Sayed Wiqar Ali Shah briefed the participants about the history of the NIHCR, particularly mentioning its prestigious place during the 1970s.
He said the corner is open to scholars, students and researchers adding that it would play an important role in promoting education, encouraging students and readers besides strengthening bonds of brotherhood, love and respect among all the communities living in Pakistan.
Prof. Dr. Wiqar assured the participants that Balochistan will be given more importance and within the next couple of years it will not be a neglected subject as regional history would be focused in the due course of time.
Addressing the participants, Governor Achakzai said that books bring harmony and peace among the people. Books have been influencing the people, and affecting the thinking process besides changing personalities, he opined. Governor lauded the vital role of the NIHCR in conducting research, publishing books on history and culture thus promoting the book reading among all and sundry.
Dr Javed Ashraf, Vice-Chancellor of the Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad said that the Balochistan Books Corner would provide resources to the academia, researchers, faculty and students to sharpen knowledge, increase connections between the Baloch brethren and scale up understanding of shared values among fellow citizens of the motherland.
Shields were also presented to the Governor, the QAU Vice-Chancellor and the NIHCR Director.