ISLAMABAD, Feb 4: Books play an important role in character building said participants at a book launch here on Monday.

The book “Suno Pyari Beti”, written by educationist Razina Alam Khan was launched by Sir Syed Memorial Society.

Legal expert and politician, S.M Zafar said: “I have come all the way from Lahore in so much rain because I read the book and reached to a conclusion that the book should be made part of the educational syllabus.”

“Reading trends are on the decline but such books can once again attract people back to reading books,” he said.

Renowned scientist Abdul Qadeer Khan while talking to participants at the ceremony said that once there were books like ‘Miratul Uroos’ and ‘Taubatun Nusooh’ written by Deputy Nazeer Ahmad, which were being used for character building of the new generation but now because time had passed, so books like ‘Suno Pyari Beti’ should be given to the next generation.

“Media should highlight books written for character building of the new generation because honest and upright people are needed to play a role in the development of the country,” he said.

Chairman Higher Education Commission (HEC) Dr Javed Leghari said that the process of learning never stops, so every person should continue on the path of seeking knowledge. “Our nation cannot progress without education and this book gives us a lesson that education is a must for making a person a good human being,” he said.

President of Sir Syed Memorial Society Brig (retired) Iqbal M Shafi said that literary people like Altaf Hussain Hali and Deputy Nazir Ahmed were role models for writers of this era and new writers should follow them because they employed the simplest of ways to convey their message to the masses.

Director PAF Finishing School Nasreen Aurangzeb said that her school had been promoting character building in the new generation and she was impressed by the book.

On the other hand, the author, Razina Alam Khan, while speaking to participants said that she had observed that the ratio of divorce was increasing in most families and the new generation was frustrated, so through her book she tried to show them a better way.

“Parents should not force their children to adopt professions because children get frustrated and in the end become despondent. But the youth should understand that they can only progress with the guidance of their parents,” she said.

Large number of literary personalities, politicians and civil society activists also participated in the book launch ceremony.