ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: National Book Foundation (NBF) on Wednesday marked inauguration ceremony of membership opening of its innovative book promotional project titled ‘Readers Club Scheme’ to facilitate over 25,000 book lovers annually.
The ceremony celebrated the success of Readers Club Scheme which played instrumental role in reviving book reading culture among the younger generation, giving 50 percent discount on every book of their choice.
Federal Secretary National History and Literary Heritage (NHLH) Division Engineer Aamir Hasan was chief guest on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, Aamir Hasan appreciated the efforts of Managing Director NBF Dr. Inam ul Haq Javed and his dedicated team for their hard work to expand this scheme to the readers across many country.
He said NH&LH Division will extend all out support to NBF for running this important scheme to facilitate the readers.
“Success of this scheme has negated the perception of many that officials in government departments do not concentrate on work,” he said.
Highlighting the activities of his division, he said that after arranging national level calligraphy exhibition titled `Noon Walqalam’, the division is holding International Calligraphy Exhibition from August 25.
Over 100 art pieces of professional calligraphers from within the country and abroad will be displayed in the four-day exhibition which would serve as a treat for art lovers of capital, he said.
Managing Director NBF said that the foundation has expanded the circle of Readers Club Scheme to 36 cities from 17 and increased the purchasing limit for the readers from Rs 5000/ to Rs 6000/ annually.
He said that NBF has registered over 130 book stalls and set up 24 book outlets while awareness raising campaign is also being carried out through different sections of social media.
The ceremony was attended by officials of NH&LH Division, NBF and prominent literary personalities.
Readers Club is one of the most public oriented book promotional activity attracting readers to buy books of their choice at half price.
Besides, promoting reading habit, it encourages the overall book industry, help increasing literacy rate, create reasonable demand for good quality reading material and motivating young generation towards developing reading culture in the society.
During the year 2017-18, the project has set a target to facilitate over 25,000 readers with the allocated amount of Rs 35.2 million while the purchasing limit was raised upto Rs 6000.
The scheme has benefitted 301,734 readers from the year 1985-86 till 2016-17.
