ISLAMABAD, Oct 07 (APP): The 16th meeting of the Board of Governors of the National Book Foundation (NBF) was held under the chairmanship of Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Federal Minister for Federal Education & Professional Training and Chairman, Board of Governors.
The meeting was attended by Nadeem Mahbub, Federal Secretary, Ministry of Federal Education & Professional Training; Muddassir Riaz Malik, Secretary, School Education Department, Government of Punjab; Qazi Inayat, Secretary E&SED, AJK; Muhammad Murtaza, Director General (School), Gilgit Baltistan; Dr. Amjad Hussain, Director General (Academic), Higher Education Commission (HEC); Dr. Ghulam Ali Mallah, Chairman, Inter Board Coordination Committee (IBCC); Syed Abu Ahmed Akif, Ex-Cabinet Secretary; Dr. Safdar Ali Shah, DG, CPEC, Higher Education Commission (HEC); Dr. Ghulam Rasool Zahid, Advisor to the Ombudsman Punjab; Naeem Fatima Alvi, Educationist; Sajid Mehdi, Member National Assembly; Raja Qamar-ul-Islam, Member National Assembly; Sofia Saeed Shah, Member National Assembly; Mehtab Akbar Rashdi, Member National Assembly; Dr. Kamran Jahangir, Managing Director, NBF; and Dr. Khan Farhan Rafat, Secretary, NBF.
The meeting reviewed the overall performance of the National Book Foundation and progress made in various areas.
Managing Director Dr. Kamran Jahangir briefed the Board on the Foundation’s publishing activities, textbook development, financial management, digital transformation, infrastructure improvement, book fairs, literary activities and public outreach across the country.
The meeting was informed that NBF published and reprinted more than 150 new titles annually, while the manuscript review system had been made more transparent and effective. Measures had also been taken to improve quality and efficiency through compliance with prescribed procedures at the stages of manuscript evaluation, editing, production, printing and publication.
The textbook development process had also been reorganized and streamlined to improve coordination among relevant organizations, reduce administrative bottlenecks and ensure timely completion of textbooks. The Lead Committee constituted by the Ministry of Federal Education & Professional Training was overseeing the process and facilitating coordination among the relevant organizations.
The Board was informed that NBF organized major book fairs in Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad, while new book outlets were also established in Gilgit-Baltistan and NIPA Karachi. Institutional linkages with educational, literary and public-sector organizations were expanded to enhance access to books and strengthen the promotion of reading across the country.
To improve transparency and align the financial system with modern requirements, NBF transitioned to the RAAST digital payment system. Various committees were also constituted for effective oversight and collective decision-making in financial and administrative matters, further strengthening institutional governance and transparency.
Under its digital transformation initiatives, NBF upgraded its official website, improved online services and enhanced public outreach through social media platforms. A modern audio-visual facility was established at the NBF Auditorium to support literary events, conferences, seminars and training programmes. COMSATS internet and software services were also engaged for hardware and software upgradation of various departments.
The meeting was informed that NBF continued to promote reading and literary activities across the country through literary festivals, reading campaigns, literary sittings, meet-the-author sessions, seminars, conferences and writing competitions.
Partnerships with public and private institutions were further strengthened, while the NBF Best Book Awards continued to encourage literary excellence, creativity and emerging talent.
As part of these initiatives, essay competitions were organized on national and historical themes, including Pakistan-Türkiye relations. Initiatives were also undertaken for awards recognizing the best published books for children on Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Allama Muhammad Iqbal and the Pakistan Movement. The Adabi Jareeda was also in the press for printing.
The Board was further briefed on the renovation, modernization and improvement of NBF’s various centres, book outlets, auditoriums and offices. The solarization of the NBF Headquarters in Islamabad had also been completed, contributing to reduced energy costs and improved environmental sustainability.
Managing Director Dr. Kamran Jahangir stated that regular management and performance review meetings were being held to assess progress in various departments, resolve operational matters, monitor implementation of decisions and address institutional requirements in a timely manner.
The members of the Board of Governors appreciated the overall performance of the National Book Foundation and its initiatives relating to institutional reforms, publishing activities, textbook development, financial management, digital transformation, infrastructure improvement and promotion of books across the country.
They expressed satisfaction over the Foundation’s efforts to enhance public access to books, promote reading and expand the scope of literary and educational activities, and assured their full support and cooperation in further advancing the mandate of NBF.
Source: APP (Associated Press of Pakistan)
