KARACHI, May 4: Tauqir Zia, the former chairman of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), said on Thursday that people should spare time to read books.

Speaking at the launching of Lateef Jafri’s ‘Sporting Sketches’, Tauqir, who was chief guest on the occasion, stressed the need of book-reading since it provided inspiration in every sphere of life.“Personally speaking, I love reading books whenever I’m not preoccupied by other commitments. One really gets inspired by some of the writings which in turn motivate the person by reading,” he observed.

Tauqir, who headed the PCB from 1999 to 2003, lauded the services rendered by Mr Jafri in the field of journalism, particularly sports coverage.“There is no doubt that he has played a pivotal role in the promotion of sports in Pakistan for a long time”.

Anwar Ahmed Khan, the great hockey centre-half of yesteryear, and former Test cricketer Waqar Hasan also spoke on the occasion.