ISLAMABAD, Jul 22 (APP): National Book Foundation (NBF), under the Federal Ministry of Education and Professional Training, organized an awards and recognition certificate ceremony at the Islamabad Club to honour the authors and writers who have contributed their works to the Foundation.
Federal Minister for Education and Professional Training, Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, was the chief guest on the occasion, said a press release issued here on Tuesday.
Guests of honour included Wajiha Qamar, Minister of State for Education and Professional Training, Farah Naz Akbar, Parliamentary Secretary and Hassan Saqlein, Additional Federal Secretary for Education and Professional Training.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui said that in today’s era of electronic media, promoting a book culture and connecting people with books was both an important and challenging task.
“I am proud that this responsibility is being carried out by our Ministry through the National Book Foundation. The Foundation continues to organize literary and intellectual activities to attract people towards books. It is especially vital to bring the younger generation closer to books, for which new, modern ideas and intellectual initiatives are needed,” he said.
The minister emphasized that while the world was rapidly progressing, Pakistan must accelerate its pace of work to keep up.
“In the next thirty years, time will change in ways we cannot even imagine. Keeping pace with the modern era and remaining relevant globally is a huge challenge, one that requires the dedicated services of our writers, poets, researchers, and scientists. The National Book Foundation is fulfilling this responsibility commendably,” he added.
He said that encouraging the writers through such ceremonies was a significant step that generated new inspiration, ideas and innovations.
“Such initiatives and national-level encouragement for art and artists are essential. These authors, writers, and intellectuals are experts in their respective fields, and I congratulate them all,” he remarked, appreciating the NBF’s continued literary and academic efforts.
On this occasion, Dr. Siddiqui, along with Minister of State Wajiha Qamar, Parliamentary Secretary Farah Naz Akbar, Federal Secretary Nadeem Mehboob, and NBF Managing Director Dr. Kamran Jahangir, distributed awards and recognition certificates among the authors.
Dr. Kamran Jahangir thanked the distinguished guests and expressed special gratitude to the chief guest Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Minister of State Wajiha Qamar, and Parliamentary Secretary Farah Naz for their support and personal interest, saying that such literary activities would not be possible without their cooperation.
The event was also attended by former Managing Directors of the NBF, Dr. Inam-ul-Haq Javed and Rao Muhammad Aslam.
Among the poets and writers who received awards were Dr. Maqsood Jafri, Mehboob Zafar, Dr. Nisar Turabi, Dr. Asif Mahmood Jah, Abu Ahmed Akif, General Muhammad Tahir, Kokab Khawaja, Naeem Fatima Alvi, Dr. Amjad Bhatti, Abdul Wajid Tabassum, Muhammad Arif, Muhammad Shoaib Khan, Raj Muhammad Afridi, Dr. Saleem Ullah, Professor Javed Mohsin, and several others.
Senior Joint Secretary Syed Junaid Akhlaq from the Ministry of Education and senior officials from various literary and educational institutions were also present. The proceedings were conducted commendably by Nazia Rehman.