Information minister says hate material develops mindset not ready to listen to voice of logic
Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of National Book Day, Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid said that books were a means to spread love and brotherhood.
“Those books should be read which lead to peace instead of chaos and war. Hate material should be shunned.”
Rashid said hate material developed a mindset that was prone to violence and not ready to listen to the voice of logic. These minds should be persuaded to listen to opposing views with patience and tolerance and not to suppress difference of opinion, he stated.
The minister said National Book Day was indeed a landmark in the intellectual and literary history of Pakistan.
“It brings in its wake a whole lot of activities aimed at generating creative thinking, promoting intellectual refinement, cultivating new ideas and creating a strong urge to nurture love for books and book reading.”
“Books make mankind nobler, better, wise and promise us new hopes and infuse our imagination with unbounded energy. Reading a book is like lighting a candle; it helps us see all that exists around us and appears to be invisible.”
The minister said, “It will be a moment of happiness for Pakistan when a day comes when such book events are held in Waziristan and FATA, where schools and colleges were closed and extremist groups resorted to violence to achieve goals.”
He emphasised that united efforts would make Pakistan a peaceful and prosperous country. He urged the National Book Foundation to introduce electronic reading gadgets and turn written material into electronic books to create interest of young generation in book reading.
The minister assured of the government’s cooperation to the foundation in developing reading habits among people. He took oath from the audience that they would make books an integral part of their lives and give due respect to intellectuals, academics and scholars.
National Book Foundation Managing Director Dr Inamul Haq told about the efforts made for making books accessible at public places and helping people buy affordable books.