"We Should Turn to Read Book If We Want a Developed Afghanistan," Minister Zuhair

Acting Minister of Information and Culture Mohammad Tahir Zuhair in a ceremony held yesterday on the occasion of 100th establishment anniversary of public libraries said: “If we want change and development, we should turn to read books.”

Speaking to participants in the ceremony held with participation of a number of officials of the ministry and cultural figures, acting minister of information and culture by congratulating the 100th establishment anniversary of public libraries to cultural figures and people of Afghanistan said for the first time national library was established by King Amanullah Khan in 1921 at the presidential palace.

“We have no standard library; therefore, we need a standard national library and a fundamental change in this regard, acting minister of information and culture said. Pointing to promotion of book reading and creating a cultural environment, acting minister of information and culture briefed related to regulation on management of libraries’ affairs prepared by MoIC, asking the country’s President to cooperate in implementation of draft construction of a national library in the country.

Afterwards, Hamidullah Shahrani, director of public library of the ministry of information and culture spoke related to past history of the public libraries.

He said that the current public library could not deliver standard services to its fans as it did not have a proper location and building. Pointing to draft plan for construction of a new building for the public library, head of the public library asked the ministry of information and culture for attention towards implementation of the plan.

In the ceremony, Ustad Partaw Nadiri and Ustad Najib Mana- li also spoke related to past history of the public libraries, saying that public library has experienced wars and incidents in the past few decades.

Kabul (BNA)