Azeem stresses knowledgeable society to get rid of present crisis
By Adnan Rafique

ISLAMABAD—Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Senator Tariq Azeem on Monday stressed the need for a knowledgeable society through promotion of quality education to get rid of the present crisis confronting the country.
Speaking at a book fair ceremony in International Islamic University herehe said that the nations who excel in knowledge and science and technology were leading the world.The book fair was organised by Students Aid Foundation for Excellence (SAFE).
“As for as the Muslims followed the culture of acquiring knowledge they ruled the world but unfortunately after parting ways with knowledge and books they have now become a suppressed nation,” he said.
Tariq Azeem said that it was a matter of great concern that not a single university from the Islamic world of 57 states had been included in 500 top class universities of the world.
When the Mughals in sub-continent were making Taj Mahal in Agra as asymbol of love the Britishers were establishing Oxford University, which not only helped promote knowledge in that society but also benefitted people from other countries including the Muslims, he added.
The Minister said that though the required amount was still not being spent to promote education but the present government has increased education budget to a manifold where an amount of Rs 216 billion was being spent on this sector.
Senator Tariq Azeem said that besides focusing on primary education, government was giving top priority to promote higher education in the country and at present there were 110 universities including 54 in public sector and 56 in private sector in the country.
He said that the perception of enlightened moderation was being wrongly projected, adding that enlightenment was a natural way of life which means negation of extremism and it was not against the Islamic teachings.
He urged the students to concentrate on books reading as it brought positive changes in one’s life. Speaking on the occasion columnist Irfan Siddiqui said that reading of good books bring positive changes in one’s personality. He urged the students to love with books as they proved their good friends. Former MNA Dr. Farid Paracha said that book reading was a healthy and positive activity which not only increases one’s knowledge but also refine the personality.
He said that there was a dire need to attract the young generation towards knowledge and for that such an environment would be created where the people starting love with books.
The ceremony was also addressed by Zafar Ansari, Dr.Hussain Ahmed Paracha and others. Later the Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Tariq Azeem formally inaugurated the book fair ceremony and went around various stalls.