National Book Foundation (NBF) has established a 'free mind book club' for the prisoners of Adiala Jail to promote book reading habits among them. Managing Director NBF, Mazhar-ul-Islam, while briefing the prisoners at the inauguration ceremony, said, 'I had brought visitors for you in terms of books. Books are best companions, which help to promote love, peace and tolerance.'
Terming it a novel idea, he said it is the first ever book club that is established for the prisoners in the country. He said that cell number 11 is named 'free mind book club' where Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani wrote his book 'Chah-e-Yousaf Se Sada.' Three sections of free mind book club were opened in Adiala jail, which include separate section for women, men and juvenile prisoners.
Appreciating the efforts of Jail Superintendent, Saeedullah Gondal, Additional Suprintendant, Asad Warraich and Deputy Superintendent, Haji Saif, the managing director said that it was their love and interest for books, which made the establishment of book club possible in the jail.
Mazhar-ul-Islam said that the members of this book club and their children would be able to get books on discount prices from the NBF bookshops across the country. If any of the prisoner of book club wants to write letter to the writer that will be sent to the respective writer with the permission of the jail superintendent. The books require by the prisoners will also be provided to them.
He said, "We want prisoners to read more books and write letters after reading and will make efforts to minimise the sentence of those prisoners who are more inclined towards reading books.' The establishment of free mind book clubs across the country are aimed at promoting book reading habit and culture among people, he said.