KARACHI: The first twoday `Literature festival for healthcare professionals` began at the Pavilion End Club in Gulshan-i-Iqbal on Saturday.

Acting vice chancellor of the University of Karachi Dr Khalid Iraqi inaugurated the event, where he asked the organisers to hold such events at different faculties of the university to enrich knowledge of both students and teachers.

`I am glad that the literature festival has been organised for doctors and their families in Karachi. I invite you to come and hold such festivals at every faculty of the University of Karachi as well,` he said.

Hundreds of doctors and their families as well as common people and children visited the event organised by the Jahan-i-Maseeha Adabi Forum (JMAF). They purchased books which were being offered at discount prices.

Dr Iraqi said it was commendable that a literary forum was trying to re-establish link between doctors and books. Otherwise, it was common sight that they were taken abroad by the pharmaceutical companies, `which is seen as an unethical practice all around the world`.

He said children visiting the book fair with their parents would keep their linl< and friendship with books for life and hoped that other literary bodies would follow the tradition.

`If such festivals are arranged regularly in Karachi, we would be able to put our generation back on the path of progress and prosperity`, he added.

Khwaja Razi Haider, chief patron of the JMAF, said his forum decided to hold a literature festival for doctors and their families because they hardly found time to visit bookshops, go to libraries and take their children to purchase books.

`Today we received an overwhelming response from doctors.

Dozens of physicians and their families visited the festival as the organisers urged more doctors to visit the festival on Sunday, when it would be concluded.