The 11th National Book Festival, organized by the National Book Foundation (NBF), began at Lok Virsa on Tuesday with the goal of encouraging students, families, and young readers to read, be creative, and pursue lifelong learning.

The three-day event's organizers unveiled a colorful and varied schedule of events meant to captivate guests of all ages.

Federal Minister for National Heritage and Culture Division Aurangzeb Khan Khichi, Parliamentary Secretary for the Ministry of Federal Education & Professional Training Farah Naz Akbar, senior Ministry of Education officials, Idara-e-Taleem-o-Aagahi (ITA) Chairman Board of Trustees Kazim Saeed, and others attended the festival's opening ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, the Federal Minister for Education and Professional Training, was the event's principal guest.

Aurangzeb Khan Khichi, the Federal Minister for the National Heritage and Culture Division, thanked the invitation and emphasized the value of fostering a robust reading culture in society.

Speaking to esteemed visitors, NBF representatives, educators, and students, he claimed that the festival represents the country's enduring love of reading, intellectual development, and the quest for knowledge.

He pointed out that the nation's shared conviction in the value of education, research, and reading is embodied in the NBF's longstanding tradition.

Speaking at the event, Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, the Federal Minister for Education and Professional Training, quoted Socrates, who stated about 2,500 years ago that a person's book is their identity—an identity that is acknowledged by others. He continued, "The book continues to be a symbol of who we are as we transition from this century into the next.

Farah Naz Akbar, Parliamentary Secretary for the Ministry of Federal Education & Professional Training, expressed gratitude to Dr. Siddiqui for fostering student unity and assisting with a well-run program. One thing is evident from this three-day event: books continue to be extremely important. "We must continue to read them because they are still vital in our lives," she stated, expressing alarm over the drop in reading habits.

Dr. Kamran Jahangir, NBF Managing Director, emphasized that the "Reading and Learning Festival" is the first of its type in which both subjects coexist.