Seminar highlights virtues of books

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi 

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The seminar ‘Books are forever’ which was jointly organized by the Department of Library & Information Science (DLIS) of University of Karachi, Rotary Club of Karachi Darakhshan (RCKD) and National Library Association (NLA) at the University’s Faculty of Arts Auditorium on February 18 highlighted virtues of book reading. 

Every speaker unanimously agreed that books held the key to success at all levels and in all spheres of life. They shared their experiences and motivated the students to devote more time to reading books in order to succeed and flourish. 

Prof Dr Faiyaz Vaid, Dean Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Karachi, was the keynote speaker while Prof Dr Nigar Sajjad, former chairperson, Department of Islamic History, University of Karachi, delivered the Presidential address 

The other speakers were Dr Aftab Imam, District Governor, Rotary International, Prof Dr Farhat Hussain Khan, Chairperson, DLIS, Jahangir Moghul, Charter President, RCKD, Asma Hassan, author of Mayar-e-Zindagi,  Muhammad Ibrahim, Member, Executive Committee, NLA, and Qazi Rasheed Bhatti, an entrepreneur and social worker. 

The NLA President, Syed Muzaffar Ali Shah, made a few important announcements while Engr Asim Murtaza Khan, Past President, RCKD, proposed the vote of thanks. Syed Khalid Mahmood, President, RCKD, and Advisor, NLA, conducted the ceremony alongwith Hira Yaseen, Joint Secretary, NLA. 

Famous book ‘Mayar-e-Zindagi’ authored by Asma Hassan was presented to all the dignitaries, alongwith shields and bouquets. The registration had started at 9 am while the meeting got underway at around the designated time of 10 am and concluded at 12 30 pm. Strict discipline was maintained throughout the two and a half hours sessions and the auditorium was packed to capacity with the students of DLIS turning up in large numbers.