A nation that reads, leads!

A nation that reads, leads!

The pervasive rise of social media platforms has precipitated a severe reading slump among the younger generation that is often seen chasing followers, likes. monetisation rather than knowledge. A 2024 Gallup & Gilani Pakistan survey highlights this shift clearly: around 40% of adult Pakistanis are active on social media platforms such as TikTok, Facebook. Instagram, with engagement particularly high among youths. Two-thirds of Pakistanis under 30 reported using these platforms regularly.

The dying culture of books in Pakistan is obvious from a Gallup Pakistan survey titled "No Room for Books". which reveals that only about 28 per cent of Pakistanis read books beyond academic texts, while a striking 75 per cent of students do not engage in any book reading at all. The rise of social media and other digital distractions has left little room for reading a book.

Books, then, are true friends that always quench the thirst of the reader; they rarely defriend. Their knowledge shields us from ignorance. sharpens the mind for intellectual reasoning, acting as a bridge to wisdom and allowing individuals to engage with the experiences and insights of the past. As Francis Bacon, in his essay 'Of studies', wrote: "Reading maketh a full man; conference a ready man;. writing an exact man." Indeed, true engagement with knowledge through books develops intellect, clarity, and judgment.

It is no wonder that one who reads is often predicted to become a leader, as reading equips individuals with the insight. clarity needed to tackle life's challenges. Books become faithful companions, offering solace and wisdom in solitude, guiding us to think rationally and creatively.

Books strengthen wisdom. intellectual capacity, as reading across disciplines - science, philosophy, history, literature and religion - adds distinct value to a reader's intellectual and emotional growth. Scientific works unveil the mysteries of the universe and trace the new inventions for human progress.

Philosophical texts, meanwhile, stretch the imagination, prompting readers to question existence and challenge accepted norms. Although philosophy has often faced resistance, as seen in the lives of Socrates, Plato. Aristotle, history has ultimately affirmed the power and relevance of ideas once deemed controversial.

History books help us understand human civilisation. Kitab Chach Nameh offers a detailed account of Sindh's past, providing valuable insights into its rulers, society,. the Arab conquest led by Muhammad bin Qasim. The Roman statesman Cicero famously said, "Historia magistra vitae est"— history is the teacher of life. Such books preserve the experiences, struggles and lessons of earlier generations. The historical works of Edward Gibbon. the biographies written by Stanley Wolpert are excellent examples of how history tracks the evolution of societies and human endeavour.

Readers often encounter the social realities of their time through literature. The works of William Shakespeare. whether his plays or poetry, illuminate the complexities of society, while Charles Dickens offers vivid portrayals of social issues in his novels. Written in the 14th century, Geoffrey Chaucer's Prologue to the Canterbury Tales portrayed a diversity of characters. societal traits that remain relevant today.

Similarly, religious books occupy a unique place in human learning. These books act as guides to life. Among all religious texts, the Nahj al-Balagha —a collection of sermons, letters. addresses delivered by Imam Ali (AS) —enlightens human wisdom. The Quran bears witness to the histories of past civilisations, preserving knowledge from the dawn of time to the present.

Thus. to conclude, reading books is as necessary for the intellectual growth of the mind as food is for the body. Books offer not only knowledge but the wisdom to question, explore and seek answers for a purposeful life. Here is a pertinent question: do we value a book-reading culture that produces thoughtful. intellectual individuals, or have we allowed it to wither?

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