LAHORE – A six-day book fair started at the Aiwan-e-Iqbal, as part of the week-long events in the memory of Dr Allama Muhammad Iqbal on Saturday. Aiwan-e-Iqbal Chairman and Pakistan Today Editor Arif Nizami and Markazia Majlis-e-Iqbal Chairman Mian Afzal Hayyat inaugurated the book fair.
Former federal minister Humayun Akhter, renowned journalists Mujeeb-ur-Rehman Shami, Sikander Hameed Lodhi, Rehmat Ali Razi, Beedar Bakht Butt, Farrukh Sohail, Irshad Ahmad Arif and Masood Ashar were present on the occasion. More than 45 publishers are selling books in the fair on discounted rates.
Citizens showed interest in the book fair and claimed that these sorts of activities promoted the culture of book reading. A special sitting was also arranged in connection with the week-long activities. Prof Syed M Ikram, a renowned expert on Iqbal, said that the Iqbal’s poetry was filled with love of the Prophet (peace be upon him).
He said Iqbal used term high morals as basis for the formation of a society and considered religion as a top priority. Prof Humayun Ehsan, Sajjad Mir and Prof Dr Mugheesudeen Sheikh also spoke during the special sitting. Arif Nizami said that Aiwan-e-Iqbal had become a centre to promote Iqbal’s views and the book fair was an important step in this regard.
He said that more programs would be organised to educate the youth about the ideas of Iqbal. Mian Afzal Hayyat said that the book fair would prove to be a milestone in the history of Aiwan-e-Iqbal. The book fair will continue until April 21, from 10 am to 7 pm, whereas it will remain exclusive for women from 10 am to 2 pm.
