FAISALABAD: Renowned writer and playwright Asghar Nadeem Syed urged the youth to make literature a part of their reading whether they are studying science or any other subject.

Addressing the inaugural session of 3rd Lyallpur Literary Festival at the new campus of the Govt College University Faisalabad (GCUF) on Tuesday, he said medical colleges in the developed countries were teaching social issues to their students so that they could understand the community issues. He said literature broadened the vision of students, opening new horizons for them that could help them to serve the humanity efficiently.

Urdu poet Abbas Tabish also addressed the gathering in the first session.

Only six book stalls were set up at the festival. The stall owners were not happy at the event being held at the new campus. They said it was second year they had set up their stalls at the festival here where their sale was too low, adding the old campus would have been a better choice for holding such an event for being close to the city areas.

Comparer to Lyallpur Literary Festival of the GCUF, the Faisalabad Literary Festival, organised by private persons, attracts people even from outside the city.

Talking to Dawn, the students said the university administration had invited famous literature personalities but failed to attract a large number of students which was inappropriate. They said university had more than 40,000 students but the festival was organised in a small hall which had a capacity to hold only 200 chairs. The number of students who attended the festival was too low if the writers credentials were taken into consideration, they added.

Powerloom workers: Powerloom workers besieged the offices of the city police officer and the deputy commissioner on Tuesday to press the government to ensure issue of wages according to the official notification.

Carrying banners, the workers chanted slogans against a state minister and both officers and alleged the minister had been favouring factory owners. They said a couple of days ago they had informed the labour secretary at a meeting that factory owners were not paying fixed wages to them. They said the secretary had promised to form a task force to inspect the factories but so far nothing had been done.

Published in Dawn, February 7th, 2018