KARACHI, Jan 22: Karachi University Vice-Chancellor Dr Pirzada Qasim Raza Siddiqui on Thursday inaugurated the three-day book-fair, being organized by the Islami Jamiat Talaba at varsity gymnasium.

KU Registrar Dr Muhammad Qaiser, alongwith deans of all faculties, was also present at the ceremony. Besides KU officials, Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal MNA Muhammad Hussain Mehnti and MMA and parliamentary leader in the Sindh assembly, Maulana Umar Sadiq also visited the book-fair and spoke to the students.

Speaking on the occasion, DR Pirzada deplored that despite availability of books and other reading material on internet and at libraries, habit of reading was rapidly diminishing among people.

Habit of reading was vital for mental development, diversity of thoughts and creativity, he said, urging the students to gain "constructive knowledge," through reading.

Lauding organizers of the book-fair, especially the students running the Study Aid Project, he said there was no hurdle in holding constructive events and extracurricular activities and soon a detailed plan for such activities would be chalked out by the varsity itself.

KU VC advized the students to spend most of their pocket-money on books, especially paper-back editions and old books available on footpaths, and added that the varsity would encourage provision of books on subsidized rates.

Delivering welcome address, IJT Nazim Syed Noman Ahmed said their group would continue its tradition of promoting education and literacy. He lauded KU VC for inaugurating the fair and asked the varsity administration to resolve the problems confronting the varsity students.

KU Students' Advisor Prof Raees Ahmed also spoke on the occasion. Over 30 stalls had been set up at the fair by various publishing houses and book sellers and 30 to 50 per cent concession was offered to the students on the books. According to KU spokesman, over 3,000 students visited the fair on its first day.-PPI