Karachi, 1 June: Oxford University Press held the launch of 'Dosti Kitabon Sey', a programme for promoting reading among children by Khaled Anam. The programme has been especially designed to introduce children to the joys of books and reading through fun-filled sessions of story-telling, book reading, story-building games, singing songs with stories, puppet shows and much more. Employing music and songs, the activities will be conducted by the well-known television personality, Khaled Anam. These will provide an imaginative opportunity for children to be drawn into books and to make productive use of their summer vacations. The programme will run at the Oxford bookshops at Park Towers and Khalid bin Waleed Road during the months of June and July.
Khaled Anam has been associated with the popular Gripp's Theatre and has been at the forefront of children's music in Pakistan. He is a versatile person and his interests and activities range from singing, acting, and playing and composing music to compering and producing programmes. Recently, he brought out an album of children's songs called 'Ray se Rail Chali'.
Numerous celebrities from the world of television and fashion, along with their children, were present at the launch event. While giving an overview of the reading programme, Ameena Saiyid, Managing Director, Oxford University Press Pakistan, said, "At Oxford University Press we have always been very conscious of the value of reading, especially for children, because the habit of reading can become a lifetime pursuit if it is acquired in childhood. We, therefore, welcome and endorse Khaled Anam's playing Pied Piper to entice children into the magical world of books." Later, Khaled Anam conducted various book-based activities involving the celebrities present and their children.