Summary
- Punjab University Vice Chancellor Dr Muhammad Ali said the sale of such a large number of books demonstrated the public’s enduring love for reading and highlighted the importance of promoting a culture of books, particularly among young people.
- Dr Muhammad Ali said initiatives such as book fairs were necessary to strengthen the reading culture and encourage people, particularly children and students, to develop a lasting relationship with books.
- The vice chancellor expressed optimism that making books available at reasonable prices would help strengthen the connection between young people and reading, while encouraging children to develop habits that support lifelong learning.
LAHORE: The three-day book fair organised by the University of the Punjab has recorded remarkable sales, with more than 200,000 books sold during the event, reflecting a strong interest in reading among people from different walks of life.
Punjab University Vice Chancellor Dr Muhammad Ali said the sale of such a large number of books demonstrated the public’s enduring love for reading and highlighted the importance of promoting a culture of books, particularly among young people.
He said that making books available at affordable prices was essential to encouraging reading habits in an era increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technology.
According to the vice chancellor, the impressive sales figures showed that books continued to attract readers despite the growing use of digital platforms and technology in everyday life. He emphasised that books remained a fundamental source of knowledge and that their importance could never be diminished.
Dr Muhammad Ali said initiatives such as book fairs were necessary to strengthen the reading culture and encourage people, particularly children and students, to develop a lasting relationship with books.
He stressed that reasonable prices played a significant role in making books accessible to a wider audience. Affordable books, he said, could help young people discover the value of reading while enabling students and families to purchase educational and literary material according to their interests and needs.
The vice chancellor noted that the book fair attracted participants from various parts of Pakistan, representing different professions, backgrounds and sections of society. Their participation reflected the broad appeal of reading and the importance of creating opportunities for people to access books at affordable rates.
He said that young people and children showed particular enthusiasm for purchasing books during the three-day event. Their interest, he added, was encouraging and demonstrated the potential for such activities to inspire a new generation of readers.
Dr Muhammad Ali maintained that books remained indispensable for learning, intellectual development and the expansion of knowledge. While technological advancements had changed how information was accessed, he said, the significance of books as a source of knowledge remained unchanged.
He further emphasised that promoting reading required sustained efforts and initiatives that brought books closer to the public. Organising book fairs and ensuring the availability of affordable publications could help overcome barriers to reading and encourage people to make books a regular part of their lives.
The record sales at the Punjab University book fair have highlighted the continued demand for printed books among students, families and other readers. The event also underscored the importance of providing accessible reading material at a time when digital media and AI-powered tools are becoming increasingly prominent.
The vice chancellor expressed optimism that making books available at reasonable prices would help strengthen the connection between young people and reading, while encouraging children to develop habits that support lifelong learning.
The successful three-day event reinforced the role of educational institutions in promoting knowledge, encouraging literary engagement and creating opportunities for readers to explore a diverse range of books.
Dr Muhammad Ali said such activities were essential for nurturing a society that values learning and recognises books as a lasting source of knowledge and intellectual growth.
