The column published by the Pakistan Today on November 15th on the delicate yet important issue of book reading written by Dr Mubarak Ali gives deep insight as to how many kinds of readers are there in our society and why we are not inclined to read books anymore. The writer nailed it when he said that the commercialisation of literature has forced the good writers to stay away from publishing books.
I would like to add that the internet and cell phones have also made a huge difference in this regard. They have made the young generation more engaged to the technology gadgets and other entertainment sources than enjoying a good read. The situation is miserable yet it cannot be made to look proper without the use of some really innovative measures.
The literary circles and the government should work together in this regard as books are the only source of knowledge that remains even after the death of a person.
BILAL RAMZAN
Islamabad
