QUETTA: Social and political notables of Balochistan have said that establishing close relation with books is an important need of time as it is owing to distance from book reading that has landed us in multifarious troubles.
They expressed these views during a seminar held here at Quetta Press Club on the International Book Day on Sunday.
They stressed the need for promoting the culture of book reading among the youth and said that each member of society should play his role in this regard, adding that the TV channels should allocate time in their transmission time introducing new books. They said that it was the only course of development.
Chairman Balochistan Peace Forum Nawabzada Haji Lashkari Riasani, Abdul Matin Akhundzada, Provincial Minister Mir Shahnawaz Marri, Maulana Abdul Haq Hashmi, Regional Director Allama Iqbal Open University Qamaruddin, Principal Fazaia College Tariq Hussain, and many others addressed on the occasion.
Nawazada Haji Lashkari Raisani said that they would contact with the elected representatives to pass resolutions for allocation of time for the introduction of at least five books daily in their transmissions, adding that this is with a view to infuse book reading habits among the youth in Balochistan.
He said that everyone has to play his role for a peaceful and rational society, adding that in 1970s Assembly educated people like Gul Khan Naseer, Nawab Ghaus Bakhsh Riasani, Mir Bhaus Bakhsh Bizenjo were elected but very unfortunately in today’s assembly politicians with fake degrees are elected.
Nawabzada Lashkari Raisani took serious exception to the remark that the tribal lord is found to be a book lover. He narrated the history of Baloch people and reminded their contribution. He compared to the intellectual and academic level of members of the Balochistan in 1970s and now. He said that most of the members of the 1970 Assembly were highly educated politicians and they qualified from the most eminent educational institutions of undivided India and present Pakistan. He listed the few names who were highly qualified and well read leaders including, Nawab Ghous Bakhsh Raisani, Mir Ghous Bakhsh Bizenjo, Sardar Ataullah Mengal, Mir Gul Khan Nasseer, Ahmed Nawaz Bugti, Nawab Khair Bakhsh Marri and many other outstanding and highly qualified people.
In the recent politics, most of the people were found holding fake degrees, even degrees from the seminaries to hoodwink the people. Thus Mr. Lashkari Raisani rejected the contention that the people in the past were illiterate and now the people are more educated.
The gathering was representative one participated by a cross section of the people. More than a dozen speakers spoke on the occasion and presented impressive argument in support of book culture and book reading. Nawabzada Lashkari Raisani was praised by most of the speakers for his valuable contributions to book reading culture and donating thousands of books to the Universities and other educational institutions.
A Book fair was also organized at the Press Club where various organisations and institutions participated. It was a complete success as the function was largely attended.
Source: Daily Balochistan Express
