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99-year-old author inaugurates KFBL-WBD 2025 celebrations 21 Apr 10:55 PM (6 months ago)

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

 

The 99-year-old famous scholar and commentator, Bashir Ahmad Khan, having authored a record number of 45 books, declared open the KFBL World Book Day 2025 celebrations, being produced by Jumbo Publishing, on April 21. 

“I, Bashir Ahmad Khan, the author of 45 books, do hereby declare open World Book Day celebrations of 2nd Karachi Festival of Books and Libraries 2025,” the 99-year-old celebrity announced in the presence of many other dignitaries present on the occasion. 

“Reading books, as you all know, offers multiple benefits, which include improved mental health, increased knowledge, enhanced vocabulary, and stress reduction,” he highlighted. “My heartiest congratulations to KFBL Co-founders, Aziz Memon and Syed Khalid Mahmood, organizers, supporters, volunteers and participants of this grand initiative. God bless you all. Pakistan Zindabad,” Bashir Ahmad Khan concluded. 

Dr Miftah Ismail, a former federal finance minister, also attended the ceremony alongwith the top officials of the Delhi Anglo-Arabic College and Schools Old Boys Association. 

The 10-day event of the 2nd Karachi Festival of Books and Libraries (KFBL) 2025, focused on World Book Day, will witness a flurry of activities engaging people of all age groups. 

It may be recalled that the KFBL, produced by Jumbo Publishing with the collaboration of the English-Speaking Union of Pakistan (ESUP), was inaugurated the President of Pakistan, Dr Arif Alvi, in March 2024.

1st KFBL Book Fair 2024 concludes at Rangoonwala Community Centre 29 Nov 2024 11:24 PM (10 months ago)

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

The two-day book fair, the final event of the 1st Karachi Festival of Books and Libraries (KFBL) 2024, concluded with a simple but graceful closing ceremony at Rangoonwala Community Centre, housed in Dhoraji Society, on the evening of November 28. 

It had been jointly inaugurated by Senator Sarmad Ali, President, Jang Media Group, and Murad Ali Mohmand, Managing Director, National Book Foundation, alongwith cofounders, Aziz Memon and Syed Khalid Mahmood, in a colourful opening function a day earlier. 

All the worthy speakers highlighted the significance of books and libraries, describing the KFBL as a landmark initiative which would go a long way in promoting reading habits in the society, particularly among the youth of the country. They were unanimous in advocating for more activities of this nature in the larger national interest. 

They drew warm applause from the audience, who were thoroughly appreciative of their proven level of commitment for social service. Quite a few publishers, booksellers and NGOs tastefully decorated their stalls while offering generous discount to the visitors during the book fair. 

As announced publicly, some of the exhibitors, with the support of philanthropists, also provided books and stationery items, absolutely free of cost to the people without asking questions. The book fair remained open to public from 10 30 am to 8 pm on both days. 

The first-ever KFBL, produced by Jumbo Publishing with the collaboration of the English-Speaking Union of Pakistan (ESUP), was launched in January with the President of Pakistan, Dr Arif Alvi, having inaugurated the festival in March. Various segments of the KFBL, set to become an annual event, were held throughout the year with the curtain falling on it with the book fair.

Jumbo Publishing, NBF set to join hands for book culture promotion 24 Jul 2024 12:49 AM (last year)

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

Jumbo Publishing and National Book Foundation (NBF) have agreed in principle to join hands in the promotion of book culture in the country. The understanding was reached in a high-level meeting held in Karachi on July 24. 

Syed Khalid Mahmood, Chairman, Jumbo Publishing, and co-founder, Karachi Festival of Books and Libraries (KFBL), was engaged in a marathon session with the NBF team, headed by their young and energetic Managing Director, Murad Ali Mohmand. 

Arif Ahmed, Incharge, Audit Section, Munawwar Hussain Narejo, Regional Incharge, Karachi, and Syed Faisal Naveed Ali of Administration department were the other NBF officials having attended the meeting which deliberated on a number of matters pertaining to book culture promotion. 

The NBF functionaries were appreciative of the various initiatives having been undertaken by Jumbo Publishing over the years with special mention of the KFBL which was inaugurated by the President of Pakistan earlier this year. 

The NBF Managing Director, having played a key role in enhancing the image of his organization, pledged to extend maximum possible support to activities aimed at promoting book culture in Pakistan. 

He reckoned that the masses deserved books of high quality at affordable prices in order to develop appetite for reading and bringing about improvement in their lives.

President Dr Arif Alvi inaugurates first-ever Karachi Festival of Books and Libraries, presents lifetime recognition shields 4 Mar 2024 2:21 AM (last year)

By Iqbal Jamil

The President of Pakistan, Dr Arif Alvi, inaugurated the Karachi Festival of Books and Libraries (KFBL), the first-ever event of its kind to be held in Pakistan, in a graceful event here at the Sindh Governor House on March 2. 

A large number of librarians, academics, scholars, authors and designers attended the one-hour inauguration and recognition ceremony of the KFBL, being produced by Jumbo Publishing with the collaboration of the English-Speaking Union of Pakistan while the technical assistance is being provided by the Karachi Library Association (KLA). 

President Dr Arif Alvi, who was the chief guest in the ceremony, bestowed upon Lifetime Achievement Recognition mementoes to the famed quintet of Abdul Qadir Qureshi (Journalism), Iqbal Saleh Muhammad (Publishing and Bookselling), Syed Ahmed Naqvi (Librarianship), A G Khalid (Graphic Designing) and Ehsan Qureshi (Sports Authorship), besides presenting shields to Aziz Memon, Jahangir Moghul, Syed Khalid Mahmood and Khalid Mumtaz Ansari for in recognition of library activism. The citations of the five recipients of Lifetime Achievement awards were also shared on the occasion.

The KLA founders, Prof Farheen Mahmood, Prof Shama Bano, Prof Bushra Roohi, Prof Syed Munawwar Ali, Prof Amir Subhani, Nasir Mustafa, Wajid Ali Chandio, Ali Asghar Dars, Rehana Sadiq, Farzana Zafar and Muhammad Younus Hashmi were received mementoes from the President of Pakistan for their overwhelming contributions to librarianship. 

President Dr Arif Alvi wholeheartedly lauded the initiative of holding the KFBL around a time when the nation moved on to undertake new challenges in the age of digital technology and artificial intelligence. 

“We needed such a mega-event, with focus on libraries, to bring people towards books. There’s no doubt about it that libraries symbolize the progress of civilization. Therefore, libraries need to be preserved, protected, promoted, developed, redeveloped and reshaped. As all of you know, there are multiple benefits of reading books which could be most conveniently done by visiting libraries,” he emphasized.

“Events like KFBL can help in filling this vacuum as they plan to make sustainable efforts in this direction. The creation of awareness about the libraries among the masses will enable a larger pool of people to utilize the facilities and the students and professionals in particular will get the opportunity to sharpen their skills by visiting the libraries,” he added. 

The President talked about the much-needed efforts for digitalization of content in order to reach bigger audience and attract the younger generation, who were more inclined to read through their own gadgets. 

Aziz Memon and Syed Khalid Mahmood, the co-founders of the KFBL, also spoke on the occasion alongwith Jahangir Moghul, Past District Governor of Rotary International, and Prof Farheen Mahmood, President, KLA. All of them highlighted the need of having such events on a regular basis to bring about a real change in the lives of the people.

Jumbo Publishing presents first-ever festival of books and libraries in Pakistan 25 Jan 2024 5:55 AM (last year)

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi 

The inaugural Karachi Festival of Books & Libraries (KFBL) 2024, the first event of its kind to have been conceived in Pakistan, got underway with its introductory session at the Karachi Press Club (KPC) on January 24. Both the co-founders, Aziz Memon and Syed Khalid Mahmood, were present in the ceremony to unveil the details about the festival. 

Jumbo Publishing, one of the respected names in the industry, is presenting the festival with the collaboration of the English-Speaking Union of Pakistan (ESUP), while the technical assistance is being provided by the Karachi Library Association (KLA) with the Friends of Libraries Pakistan (FLP) arranging for volunteers.

Jahangir Moghul, a renowned entrepreneur and philanthropist, presided over the introduction ceremony which was also addressed by famous writer, Prof Farhat Azeem, poet Dr Shabnam Aman, KLA President, Farheen Mahmood, FLP President, Khalid Mumtaz Ansari and KPC Secretary, Shoaib Ahmed while the vote of thanks was proposed by KLA Secretary General, Nasir Mustafa. 

Starting the journey with the introductory session, the inauguration ceremony of the KFBL is planned to be held in February and activities will continue throughout the year until the Book & Library Fair, scheduled to be organized in November. 

The KFBL will be spread over a diverse set of activities for library professionals, academics, scholars, authors, and students during the year-long event which aims to bring together stakeholders across the board, from librarians and academics to government officers to develop a roadmap for encouraging libraries to become the drawing room of the community and for the readers to emerge as future leaders, in consonance with the spirit of a country that reads, is a country that leads.

Jumbo Publishing wishes Happy New Year 2024 1 Jan 2024 10:17 PM (last year)

KLA President invites eminent physicist to attend KFBL 2024 20 Dec 2023 4:00 AM (last year)

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

The President of the Karachi Library Association (KLA), Farheen Mahmood, extended the invitation to attend the first-ever Karachi Festival of Books and Libraries (KFBL 2024) to an eminent physicist, Prof Shadab Hussain, which was promptly and gladly accepted. 

The KLA is offering technical assistance to the KFBL, being presented by Jumbo Publishing with the collaboration of English Speaking Union of Pakistan, with its inaugural edition scheduled to be staged at the Rangoonwala Community Centre on January 27 and 28, 2024. It’s going to be the first high-profile event of its kind in the country, expected to be inaugurated by the President of Pakistan, Dr Arif Alvi. 

The Hyderabad-based Prof Shadab Hussain, who has worked as Director Colleges, Government of Sindh, came to Karachi to attend a launching of a book on physics which took place at the Adamjee Government Science College on December 20. 

The KLA President, Farheen Mahmood, who is the Chief Librarian at the Adamjee Government College, during her meeting with former DG Colleges, Prof Shadab Hussain, at the book launch, availed the opportunity of inviting the learned professor to the KFBL 2024. 

“Prof Shadab Hussain, while accepting the invitation, also wished the organizers of KFBL the best of luck. He didn’t mince words in stating that he has always remained supportive to such initiatives,” the KLA President disclosed in a brief chat with PNFS soon after their meeting.

KLA upbeat ahead of KFBL 2024 2 Dec 2023 5:46 AM (last year)

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi 

The sixth meeting of office-bearers of the Karachi Library Association (KLA), held on December 2, discussed at length various aspects of the Karachi Festival of Books and Libraries (KFBL 2024) in which they will be offering technical assistance besides organizing events of its. 

The KFBL, is being presented by Jumbo Publishing with the collaboration of English Speaking Union of Pakistan, and its inaugural edition is scheduled to be staged at the Rangoonwala Community Centre on January 27 and 28, 2024. It’s going to be the first high-profile event of its kind in Pakistan whereby libraries will be in focus. 

The KLA President, Farheen Mahmood, chaired the meeting which was also attended by Shama Bano (Senior Vice President), Syed Khalid Mahmood (Advisor), Bushra Roohi (Vice President), Nasir Mustafa (Secretary General), Wajid Ali Chandio (Joint Secretary), Amir Subhani (Treasurer), Ali Asghar Dars (Public Relation Secretary) and Farzana Zafar (Member, Executive Committee). Younis Hashmi (Overseas Coordinator) joined the meeting from Canada via Zoom while Uzma Rehmat, a promising young librarian, was an invited observer. 

The KLA officials were very enthusiastic about their involvement in the KFBL 2024 and they reiterated their desire to make the most of this opportunity by mobilizing all their resources. They have planned to hold competitions of library quiz to engage maximum number of college students. 

All the KLA office-bearers have volunteered visiting different public, academic and special libraries to carry out a survey of their needs and shortcomings. They deliberated on various issues on which they will be organizing sessions during the KFBL 2024.

Jumbo Publishing set to launch first-ever Karachi Festival of Books and Libraries 30 Nov 2023 12:49 AM (last year)

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi 

Jumbo Publishing is set to launch the Karachi Festival of Books and Libraries (KFBL), which is going to be first-ever event of its kind in the country’s history, in the very first month of the new year. The KFBL 2024 is scheduled to be held at the famous Rangoonwala Community Centre, housed in the centrally located area of Dhoraji, on January 27 and 28. 

KLA chief presents Jumbo Karachi Guide to President of Hyderabad Gymkhana 22 Oct 2023 11:05 PM (2 years ago)

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

The Founder President of Karachi Library Association (KLA), Farheen Mahmood, presented a copy of Jumbo Karachi Guide to the President of Hyderabad Gymkhana, Dr Agha Taj Mohammad, during a meeting held at the iconic club of Hyderabad on October 21. 

The Advisor of KLA, Syed Khalid Mahmood, and the Senior Vice President of KLA, Shama Bano, were also present on the occasion. 

The President of Hyderabad Gymkhana, Dr Agha Taj Mohammad, who also happens to be one of the leading surgeons, was highly appreciative of the content of Jumbo Karachi Guide and he quickly reckoned that Hyderabad also deserved to have such a publication to showcase its rich heritage combined with the signature events of the city. 

Extending his best wishes to its editors and publishers, he expressed the hope that Jumbo Hyderabad Guide will also see light of the day in not too distant future.

Jumbo Publishing's greetings on World Book Day 26 Apr 2023 1:43 AM (2 years ago)

Jumbo Publishing wishes Happy World Book Day 26 Apr 2023 12:35 AM (2 years ago)

Jumbo author Asma Hassan’s personality interview highlights Dayar-e-Adab magazine 31 Mar 2023 11:59 PM (2 years ago)

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

Young and promising motivational writer, Asma Hassan, whose first book Mayar-e-Zindagi turned out to be a success story, has been interviewed in detail by Dayar-e-Adab magazine. 

The personality interview has been published in the April 2023 issue of the monthly literary magazine. The editor of Dayar-e-Adab magazine, Muhammad Asif Sultani, himself has conducted the detailed interview in which various aspects of the author of Mayar-e-Zindagi, Asma Hassan, have been brought to light. 

While the interview is comprehensive and very well narrated, the designing as well as the presentation of the content also meet the highest professional standards which should further increase its readership and viewership.

Jumbo Karachi Guide among books gift during Delhi College’s Library Week 28 Feb 2023 3:37 AM (2 years ago)

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

Jumbo Karachi Guide, the first-ever travel guide of any city of Pakistan published annually, was among the books gifted to the outstanding performers of various events during the recently held Library Week at Delhi Commerce & Science College and Delhi Montessori & Primary School, housed in Karachi’s densely populated location of Karimabad, Federal-B-Area. 

The week-long event, concluding with a colourful prize distribution ceremony, was jointly organized by Delhi Anglo-Arabic College & Schools Old Boys Association, National Library Association (NLA) and Rotary Club of Karachi Darakhshan (RCKD). Competitions were organized in poster, sketching, essay writing, quiz and poetry. 

The organizers as well as the participants of the Library Week were highly appreciative of Jumbo Karachi Guide, describing it as a book of knowledge.

Jalaluddin presents Jumbo Karachi Guide to Australian High Commissioner 20 Jan 2023 10:49 PM (2 years ago)

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi 

Pakistan’s former Test fast bowler and now the country’s highest qualified cricket coach, Jalaluddin, presented a copy of Jumbo Karachi Guide to Neil Hawkins, Australian High Commissioner to Pakistan, during a high-profile event at the National Stadium, Karachi, on January 19. 

The occasion was the final of the 3rd AHC-JCA Girls Schools Cricket Cup 2023 organized by the Jalaluddin Cricket Academy (JCA) and supported by the Australian High Commission. Neil Hawkins was the chief guest in the prize distribution ceremony in which Fawad Alam, Pakistan’s Test cricketer, was the guest of honour. 

Jalaluddin, the first-ever bowler to register hat-trick in the history of One-day Internationals, informed the Australian High Commissioner about the significance of Jumbo Karachi Guide, a pioneering effort to boost the soft image of the country. 

The Australian High Commissioner nodded in appreciation as he glanced through Jumbo Karachi Guide. He took particular interest in the chapter on cricket academies of Karachi in which Jalaluddin and his academy trainees were featured prominently.

Raees Fatima’s Ahwaal-o-Aasaar arrives 20 Jan 2023 10:37 AM (2 years ago)

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

Veteran columnist Raees Fatima’s 17th book titled ‘Ahwaal-o-Aasaar’ has hit the market and she presented its copies to office-bearers of the National Library Association (NLA) in a simple but graceful session on January 18. 

Syed Khalid Mahmood and Farheen Mahmood, who are Advisor and Vice President of the NLA respectively, extended their warm greetings to the versatile author, who has distinguished herself in the field of writing besides being an eminent educationist. 

Both the NLA officials lavishly praised Raees Fatima for her scholastic accomplishments and described her works as an asset to Urdu literature. 

The papers and thesis written on Raees Fatima by various renowned scholars and students have also been reproduced in the book alongwith a selection of her columns published in Roznama Express, one of the leading Urdu newspapers of the country. 

‘Ahwaal-o-Aasaar’ is an elegantly produced hardbound title, spread over 336 pages with a jacket cover. The smiling picture of the author on the cover is befittingly complemented by images of the titles of her previously books on the back cover. 

The book is very reasonably priced at Rupees one thousand per copy despite the phenomenal rise in costs of paper and other printing material in the recent past. High-quality offset paper has been used for the text while the coloured photographs are printed on art paper.

Jumbo Karachi Guide earns more praise 18 Jan 2023 11:17 AM (2 years ago)

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

Jumbo Karachi Guide, acclaimed as the first-ever guidebook of any city to be published in Pakistan, earned more praise this time from Raees Fatima, a noted intellectual having distinguished herself by authoring as many as 16 books. 

She was appreciative of Jumbo Karachi Guide, presented to her by the top officials of the National Library Association (NLA). The honours were done jointly by Syed Khalid Mahmood (Advisor) and Farheen Mahmood (Vice President). 

Raees Fatima, who has also written a book on Karachi by the name of Shahray Baimisal, was of the opinion that such guides of other cities of Pakistan should also be brought out to highlight their various aspects for the benefit of tourists as well as researchers.

Veteran author extols Mayar-e-Zindagi 18 Jan 2023 9:54 AM (2 years ago)

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi 

Jumbo Publishing’s popular book, Mayar-e-Zindagi, which is a compilation of motivational articles penned by emerging writer Asma Hassan, was presented to Raees Fatima, a famous author, columnist and novelist. 

Farheen Mahmood, Vice President, National Library Association (NLA), currently working as Chief Librarian at the iconic Adamjee Science College in Karachi, made the presentation to Raees Fatima. The Chairman of Jumbo Publishing, Syed Khalid Mahmood, also the Advisor to NLA, was also present the occasion. 

Raees Fatima, herself an author of 16 books, was impressed with the content and production of Mayar-e-Zindagi which she considered a handy reference book. She also praised the cover painting, which she reckoned, has added value to the book.

Ammi and Mumun: Son’s befitting tribute to super mom Bano Qudsia on 94th anniversary 28 Nov 2022 9:29 PM (2 years ago)

By Aneeq Ahmed

Ammi and mumun (my grandmother Zakira Chatha) were pillars of our home, Dastan Serai. Ammi held the physical and exoteric encumbrances with my father and mumun the spiritual and esoteric loads of the Serai. 

The relationship between the two was over 70 years old with so many things in common that it would be next to impossible to recount them all in one go. One thing that became beneficial to me in my school and college life was their love for mathematics. 

Mumun had Bachelor of Teaching (BT) degree and Ammi had completed her bachelors with double math from Kinnaird College, Lahore. 

In my early school years mumun taught arithmetic, and Ammi taught me (and my brothers) mathematics, geometry, calculus and trigonometry all the way for from secondary school to college years. I must confess here that I faced a great deal of difficulty with all these subjects. 

To learn math, as I understand it today, one needs to have clarity of mind, and love for simplifying constructs and integrating them back to their original forms, merging them with other constructs to form complexes that render never ending ‘aha’ experiences of awe and joy. 

I could not understand that in my school and college years. Dastan Serai was a colossal complex, with abundant incoming traffic of people; which translated into flooding of their pressing problems, their lost or about-to-be lost hopes, their achievements and their desires to be acknowledged for what they had done. 

Every cataclysm of this complex, each day was decomposed by Ammi (and mumun in the background) to its granular form and solved with steps simplified as in algebraic equations; were knowns and unknowns are separated for clarity and goal-directed solutions. 

Some problems were solved immediately using analogies from previous solutions, others were divided into parts were each part was solved over time, and still others were solved with possible solutions with many solution options much like quadratic equations and left for people to decide which way to proceed. 

Among all this human anarchy, tutoring mathematics was never missed. I would dillydally with excuses empathizing with Ammi that you have too much load today, many people need your attention and help; may be we could work tomorrow on these theorems and figure out their solutions at a better time, she would gracefully acknowledge my concern but open up the next page of the text and start solving the problem going over the steps for its solution. 

I could not learn mathematics the way Ammi desired but I started to like the subject and these days I do stop to look at a YouTube video that solves a simple and easy algebraic equation for old memories’ sake. 

I completely understand and agree with her admirers that she was a great thinker, a creative genius and a seasoned writer, but she is just Ammi to me, I miss her, I miss her whiff, her presence and her quizzical expressions that would warn me not to embark on paths that would go nowhere. I really do miss her a lot. May Allah grant her the highest Heaven where she is close to His love. Ameen.

Jumbo Publishing’s tribute to Bano Qudsia the great on her 94th birth anniversary 28 Nov 2022 3:07 AM (2 years ago)

By Syed Khalid Mahmood

Just a handful of greats have impacted the literature canvas of Pakistan as much as the legendary Bano Qudsia whose 94th birth anniversary is being celebrated on November 28, 2022. She is talked about with awe even today and her writings are revered as much as they were in the yesteryears. 

She was novelist, playwright and spiritualist of the highest pedigree and her contribution to Urdu literature remained overwhelming to say the least. She distinguished herself by writing novels, short stories, dramas and plays which are still relevant and famous. 

She had found a perfect companion in Ashfaq Ahmed, who had immortalized himself with scholastic deeds of his own. It was rare to find such a high-profile couple living and supporting each other all the way. Their partnership was broken only when the husband breathed his last in 2004 and his partner for all occasions followed him in the Heavens about 13 years later. 

The couple was blessed with three sons, one of whom, Aneeq Ahmed, followed in the footsteps of his illustrious parents to become a renowned writer before moving on to the profession of research. 

The plays of Bano Qudsia and Ashfaq Ahmed had not only enlivened the literary scene of the country but they also turned out to be lifeline for the newly established Pakistan Television (PTV) which used to be the sole provider of entertainment on air for the masses. It was many decades later when the satellite arena boomed and people got hold of the remote to switch on from one television channel to another. 

Bano Qudsia thrived at a time when the quality of content was the sole criterion for a playwright to be judged or assessed. She did have a few critics around but the vast majority of the audience stayed glued to their television sets whenever her drama or play was telecast. 

Adhi Baat, Tamasil, Hawa Kay Naam, Seharay and Khaleej were among the most famous plays written by her. Her novel Raja Gidh has been acclaimed as modern Urdu classic while Aatish-e-Zer-e-Paa, Aik Din, Asay Pasay, Chahar Chaman, Chhotaa Sheher Baray Log, Footpath Ki Ghaas and Haasil Ghaat were other popular books authored by her. 

Ashfaq Ahmed's autobiography Baba Saheba was incomplete at the time of his death and Qudsia completed the biography whose second part was published as Rah-i-Rawaan. The contrast in the narrative styles of the couple was evident in these two books as the first half was considered provoking, lucid and utterly spellbinding by critics and the second half reflected the feeling of sorrow. 

Bano Qudsia, born on November 28, 1928, at Firozpur, died in Lahore on February 4, 2017. She had migrated to Lahore with her family after the partition of India and had begun writing short stories while studying in primary classes. She graduated from the Kinnaird College in Lahore and then joined the Government College University (GCU) in Lahore to earn her master's degree in Urdu literature completed in 1951. 

She was awarded the Sitara-e-Imtiaz and Hilal-e-Imtiaz by the Government of Pakistan in 1983 and 2010 respectively while she received PTV’s Best Writer Award in 1986. The Pakistan Academy of Letters (PAL) decorated her with the Kamal-e-Fun Award while the GCU's Old Ravians Union (GCU-ORU) conferred on her a lifetime achievement award.

Enlightening session with author Raees Fatima 21 Oct 2022 10:56 PM (3 years ago)

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

Eminent literary figure and educationist, Professor Raees Fatima, has distinguished herself by writing columns, stories and novels in an illustrious career spanning quite a few decades. She has authored as many as 16 books in Urdu and she has the willingness to continue writing with the same passion which has been her trademark. 

In an enlightening session with Syed Khalid Mahmood, Chairman, Jumbo Publishing, who is also the Advisor of the National Library Association (NLA), and Farheen Mahmood, a college principal and Vice President, NLA, the celebrated author expressed the desire to have her writing works read by a larger pool of people. 

“As all the 17 titles of mine have become out of stock and the record copies are also shrinking fast, I am open to the idea of these books getting reprinted while I aim to work on a couple of new books as well. I am also interested in having the contents of my book digitalized so that they could be preserved for posterity,” she shared.

“Naturally it’s the dream of every writer or author to have his or her writing work reach a wider audience. I consider myself really fortunate that my books have remained in demand and they were sold out at many of the famous outlets much more quickly than anticipated,” Raees Fatima revealed. 

Talking about her books, she recalled her two travelogues of India in particular which were very warmly received by a large number of her fans and followers. Initially her columns about both the trips were published in Daily Express, one of the leading Urdu newspapers of Pakistan, before their publication in book form on public demand.

Financial Daily flashes Chinese recognition for Mayar-e-Zindagi 11 Oct 2022 2:53 AM (3 years ago)

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi 

(Pakistan News & Features Services

The Financial Daily, one of the top daily newspapers of the country, published from Karachi, has prominently carried the news of Jumbo Publishing’s book Mayar-e-Zindagi, authored by Asma Hassan, earning praise from a Chinese banker. 

It may be recalled that the President of the National Library Association (NLA), Syed Muzaffar Ali Shah, had recently presented a copy of Mayar-e-Zindagi to Peter Zhang Hongpeng, Deputy CEO and Deputy General of the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) in Karachi. 

Besides admiring the NLA's gesture of book presentation, the Chinese banker, when explained about the motivational contents of Mayar-e-Zindagi, had nodded in its appreciation.

Mayar-e-Zindagi presented at Balochistan University 14 Sep 2022 5:31 AM (3 years ago)

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

The President of the National Library Association (NLA), Syed Muzaffar Ali Shah, presented a copy of Jumbo Publishing’s marquee book Mayar-e-Zindagi, authored by promising motivational writer Asma Hassan, to Shahzadi Rahmatullah, working as lecturer at University of Balochistan’s Library & Information Science Department. 

The presentation took place at the university campus in Quetta on September 14 when the NLA President called on the seasoned lecturer, who has herself authored as many as seven books on the subject of Library & Information Science. 

Shahzadi Rahmatullah welcomed the publication of motivational books which, she reckoned, help in guiding the youngsters in particular. She praised the content of Mayar-e-Zindagi which comprise of Asma Hassan’s articles on various facets of life. 

Commending the initiatives of the NLA for the cause of the librarians all over the country, she assured her support to the Association in achieving their mutual goals of promoting library science.

Chinese accolades for Mayar-e-Zindagi 13 Sep 2022 7:50 AM (3 years ago)

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi 

After having earned recognition and praise from stalwarts of various fields in the country, Jumbo Publishing’s popular book Mayar-e-Zindagi, authored by emerging writer Asma Hassan, has now also been lauded by foreigners. 

The President of the National Library Association (NLA), Syed Muzaffar Ali Shah, presented a copy of Mayar-e-Zindagi to Peter Zhang Hongpeng, Deputy CEO and Deputy General of the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) in Karachi. 

Besides appreciating NLA's gesture of book presentation, the Chinese banker, when explained also commended the contents of Mayar-e-Zindagi.

The NLA President expressed his desire to have Mayar-e-Zindagi translated in Chinese language to let the nation of more than a billion people be enlightened by the meaningful articles of the book, aimed at improving life.

Poet’s tribute to Mayar-e-Zindagi 9 Sep 2022 10:55 PM (3 years ago)

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

Raheel Ahmed Narejo, working as Assistant Director at State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), who is also a poet, has praised Jumbo Publishing’s trendy book Mayar-e-Zindagi, authored by Asma Hassan, an emerging writer from Lahore. 

Posted at Currency Management Hub, South, of the central bank, the literary minded Raheel Narejo was presented a copy of Mayar-e-Zindagi by Syed Muzaffar Ali Shah, President of the National Library Association (NLA), who has also been serving the SBP with distinction for the last many years. 

Raheel Narejo, besides appreciating the contents of Mayar-e-Zindagi, also commended the NLA for having launched the initiated the move of gifting books to individuals and institutions in an effort to revive the reading culture in the society. 

While wishing his best to the NLA, the SBP Assistant Director expressed the hope that the Association will be extended the desired supported by the various stakeholders to achieve the mutual objective of bringing about positive changes in the society.