IIUI Postdoctoral Fellows Visit National Book Foundation, Explore Museum and Publishing Work
ISLAMABAD, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 29th Oct, 2026) A delegation comprising participants of the Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Programme at the Faculty of Education, International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI), visited the headquarters of the National Book Foundation (NBF) in Islamabad.
On this occasion, the delegation was informed about the Foundation’s various sections, publishing activities, efforts to promote reading, and academic and cultural services.
The delegation included:
- Dr M. Afzal, Chairman, Sameem Orphan Care Foundation
- Dr Fayyaz A. Shaheen, Chairperson, Hamdard University, Karachi
- Dr Mubashir Jamil, Assistant Professor, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan
- Dr Fauzia Ajmal, In-charge Academic Affairs, International Islamic University Islamabad
- Dr Fahmida Maqsood, Assistant Professor, International Islamic University Islamabad
- Dr Farah Latif Naz, Assistant Professor, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan
On behalf of the National Book Foundation, Dr Shahla Saeed, along with Rehan Siddiqui, Muhammad Naeem Khan, Asad Rasool Nagrah, Sahiba Jamro, Ayesha Qamar, Aazia Bibi, Qamar Saeed, Taskeen Arshad, Raja Aftab Ahmad, and Muhammad Shahid Dhareja welcomed the guests and guided them during the visit.
Dr Shahla Saeed briefed the delegation on:
- The Foundation’s establishment, aims, and objectives
- Academic and literary services
- Efforts to publish and promote books
She highlighted that the National Book Foundation, established in 1972 under an Act of Parliament, operates as an educational and service-oriented institution under the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training, Government of Pakistan.
Her key points included:
- Providing quality books to students, teachers, researchers, and general readers at affordable prices
- Promoting the habit of reading
- Strengthening society’s connection with knowledge and literature
During the briefing, the delegation discussed:
- Providing quality books to educational institutions’ libraries
- Links between academic and research institutions
- Opportunities to promote reading
The delegation expressed interest in NBF’s activities, such as book fairs, literary events, discussions, meetings with authors, book launches, writing competitions, and storytelling activities for children.
They also learned about recent renovations to the National Book Museum and NBF Book Shop, under the leadership of NBF Managing Director, Dr Kamran Jahangir, with a focus on promoting books and cultivating a reading habit among children.