Chairman Pakistan Academy of Letters Abdul Hameed on Sunday deplored the fact that book-reading culture was declining in the country day-by-day while the undue rising prices of books was further broadening the gap between readers and reading material. Addressing a press conference here, Abdul Hameed said that the distance between books and readers was one of the main causes of uncivilised behaviour and extremist thinking patterns prevailing in the society.
He said it was the need of hour to promote Book Culture in the country to help the book market flourish to tackle violent fundamentalism. PAL has a tradition of arranging national book fairs since last some years and this year the national book festival will start on 16th April and will go on till 20th April.
"A large number of publishers from all over the country will participate in the fair and display their books". He said Pakistan Academy of Letters (PAL) was going to hold National Book Fair with reference to the International Book Day. "This day is celebrated on 23rd April internationally and on 22nd April nationally. Besides, exhibition of books a number of other activities like mushairas, folk music and seminars are also planned to be held to enhance the atmosphere of the festivity," he added.
He further added that to make participation of readers in the book fair, PAL has particularly invited people from various walks of life and different age groups, and also requested universities, colleges and schools to encourage students to attend this five day activity.