KARACHI, Dec 15: Defence Central Library (DCL) is organising a three-day literary-cum-cultural programme to mark its 17th anniversary.

The programme features a book exhibition, a literary seminar, a drama festival, a Mushaira and a Sham-i-Ghazal.

Giving details of the programme, DCL secretary Lt-Col (r) Rafat Naqvi said that the book fair would be held on DCL lawns from Dec 18 to 20, daily from 10am to 9pm. Seventeen leading publishers would participate in the fair and offer up to 40 per cent discount to visitors. The book fair would be open to the general public.

He said that the literary seminar on “The role of library in promoting knowledge and enlightenment in society” would be held on Dec 18 in the DCL auditorium. Ghazi Salahuddin, Obaidullah Baig and Shah Rukh Hasan would speak at the seminar, to be presided over by NBP president Ali Raza.

The DCL auditorium would also be the venue of the “Karachi Grand Mushaira” to be held on Dec 19 at 8pm. Well-known poets would participate in the event, to be presided over by Karachi University Vice-Chancellor Prof Pirzada Qasim Raza Siddiqui.

The musical night “Sham-i-Ghazal” would be held on Saturday night in the auditorium.

The other events to be held during the three-day celebration include literary and educational competitions for school and college students.—APP