Islamabad:April 17:The five-day National Bookfair opened at the Pakistan Academy of Letters (PAL) here on Monday to mark International Book Day.
The day is celebrated on April 23 internationally and on April 22 nationally. Besides exhibition of books, a number of other activities like ‘mushairas,’ folk music and seminars have also been planned to mark the occasion.
Addressing a press conference, PAL Chairman Abdul Hameed said it is a deplorable fact that the culture of book-reading is deteriorating day-by-day in society and prices of books are getting higher unduly broadening gap between readers and reading material.
He said that the PAL has a tradition of arranging national bookfairs for some years. A large number of publishers from all over the country will participate in the fair and display their books.
Abdul Hameed said that the PAL has invited people from various walks of life and different age groups, and requested universities, colleges and schools to encourage students to attend the five-day event.
Along with publishers, some leading NGOs will also set up their stalls in the bookfair to avail the opportunity to reach a large number of educated people from all age groups under one roof.
He said that the bookfair would not only give readers a chance to buy books on discount, but also provide publishers with an opportunity to directly get aware of demands and readers.A special activity with the title of ‘Gosha-i-Musannif’ (Author’s Corner) is being arranged during the bookfair. The PAL has invited prominent writers and poets to appear in the corner and talk about their work with visitors.The news.