The Department of Journalism and Urdu at Women University Swabi hosted the launch ceremony of the children’s book “Ali and Zehra’s Stories”, authored by A. Waseem Khattak, the Head of the Department. The event was presided over by the university’s Registrar, Dr. Raeesa Bano. Organized jointly by the Department of Journalism and the Department of Urdu, the ceremony was attended by distinguished faculty members, including Dr. Sanaullah, Dr. Naqeeb Jan, Dr. Aurangzeb, Dr. Farooq Ahmed, Ms. Faryal, Ms. Breshna, and Ms. Mariyana, among others.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Raeesa Bano emphasized the importance of children’s literature, stating that writing for children is becoming increasingly rare. She stressed the need to encourage authors who contribute to this field, as such works provide children with quality content that can inspire a love for books and divert their attention from excessive use of mobile phones.
Dr. Naqeeb Ahmed Jan delivered an insightful talk on the history of children’s literature, highlighting its significance in shaping young minds. Dr. Munazza shed light on the themes of the book, noting that while it is primarily written for children, it carries meaningful messages for adults as well.
Author A. Waseem Khattak shared his journey, revealing that he has been writing since 1990 and has recently resumed creating content for children after many years. He expressed gratitude to the National Book Foundation for its role in promoting children’s literature and enabling the consistent publication of such works. He mentioned that “Ali and Zehra’s Stories” is designed for children aged 4 to 10 and announced plans to publish three more children’s books soon.
In his closing remarks, Waseem Khattak extended his thanks to Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Mian Syed for supporting the launch of the book and fostering an environment that encourages the promotion of children’s literature. The attendees praised the book as a valuable addition to children’s literature and congratulated the author on his achievement.
