KARACHI, Jan 31: Over three thousands students on Tuesday thronged the three-day book fair, held under the aegis of the Study Aid Project (SAP) of the Islami Jamiat Talaba (IJT) here at the University of Karachi at its gymnasium.

Several important personalities including editors of local dailies, politicians, academicians and lawyers also visited the book fair and felicitated the IJT for regularly holding the event.

Over 40 publishers and booksellers have set up their stalls. At the fair in question books, CDs and other educational materials are being sold at a discount of around 20 to 50 per cent.

KU Vice-Chancellor Dr Pirzada Qasim inaugurated the book fair. Speaking on the occasion, he lauded the IJT for regularly holding book fairs and exhibitions at the varsity saying it was a constructive activity and it should be continued in the years to come.

Dr Pirzada said that book reading was the most rewarding activity as it helped in the formation of a civilized society.

He expressed delight over the presence of a large number of KU students at the book fair.

Jamat-i-Islami, Karachi Amir Dr Merajul Huda Siddiqui also visited the book fair. He said that holding of such activities was a hallmark of student unions, which unfortunately were banned.

He questioned that when students had been given the right to vote for the formation of provincial and national assemblies, why they were not being allowed to form unions to get their issues resolved democratically.

Paying tribute to the IJT for its efforts for the promotion of education in the country, he said that like everywhere in the world, education was becoming a saleable commodity but students belonging to the IJT were resisting all such moves.

IJT KU Nazim Tausif Ahmed said that IJT believed in eradication of illiteracy and promotion of knowledge.

Athar Hashmi, editor of a local Urdu daily, KU Registrar Prof Raees Alvi also spoke while dean of the KU’s Arts faculty Dr Shamsuddin, chairman Mass Communication Depart-ment Dr Tahir Masood,

Students Adviser Mohammad Ahmed Qadri, Campus Security Officer Khalid Iraqi and other KU officials were also present on the occasion. Later, IJT KU nazim presented sheilds to the guests.

The book fair will continue till Thursday, where wide variety of books ranging from natural to social sciences, IT, literature, religion and several other subjects are available for students.—PPI