Millions of students in Pakistan may not have books for the new academic session starting August 2022 as the paper industry association has warned of an impending acute shortage of paper.

The current crisis stems from the rising prices of locally manufactured paper. The association has blamed the government for failing to control the domestic prices paper, reports local media.

During a joint press conference in the capital Islamabad city, All Pakistan Paper Merchant Association, Pakistan Association of Printing Graphic Art Industry (PAPGAI), and other organizations associated with the paper industry, along with the country's leading economist Dr Qaiser Bengali, warned that booksellers across the country would not be able to provide textbooks to millions of students this year if the price of paper was not stabilised.

At present, the price of local paper had increased by over 200 per cent and its quality was also inferior to the foreign-manufacture paper, they said, reports The News International newspaper.

They said that the pricing formula was yet to be decided between the government and private publishers and no steps had been taken to provide paper at a fixed price to the publishers.

“Since January, an increase of Rs100 per one kilogramme of local paper has been observed,” Publishers and Booksellers Association of Pakistan Chairman Aziz Khalid was quoted as saying.

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He added that the current situation was pushing the printing and packaging industries towards collapse.

Aziz clarified that the publishers cannot use imported paper in textbooks due to high taxes. As a result, local publishers have stopped buying paper for textbooks.&nbsp;

Earlier this month, textbook publishers in Lahore had announced to halt operations due to soaring prices of paper.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Millions of students in Pakistan may not have books for the new academic session starting August 2022 as the paper industry association has warned of an impending acute shortage of paper.

Millions of students in Pakistan may not have books for the new academic session starting August 2022 as the paper industry association has warned of an impending acute shortage of paper. The current crisis stems from the rising prices of locally manufactured paper. The association has blamed the government for failing to control the domestic prices paper, reports local media. During a joint press conference in the capital Islamabad city, All Pakistan Paper Merchant Association, Pakistan Association of Printing Graphic Art Industry (PAPGAI), and other organizations associated with the paper industry, along with the country's leading economist Dr Qaiser Bengali, warned that booksellers across the country would not be able to provide textbooks to millions of students this year if the price of paper was not stabilised. At present, the price of local paper had increased by over 200 per cent and its quality was also inferior to the foreign-manufacture paper, they said, reports The News International newspaper. They said that the pricing formula was yet to be decided between the government and private publishers and no steps had been taken to provide paper at a fixed price to the publishers. “Since January, an increase of Rs100 per one kilogramme of local paper has been observed,” Publishers and Booksellers Association of Pakistan Chairman Aziz Khalid was quoted as saying. Also read | Pakistan and IMF reach agreement on bailout programme He added that the current situation was pushing the printing and packaging industries towards collapse. Aziz clarified that the publishers cannot use imported paper in textbooks due to high taxes. As a result, local publishers have stopped buying paper for textbooks. Earlier this month, textbook publishers in Lahore had announced to halt operations due to soaring prices of paper. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Paper crisis hits Pakistan, publishers say no books for new academic session

It took more than a wave of a wand, but Pakistani university students transformed their 150-year-old campus into Hogwarts this week as they kicked off a festival celebrating the fictional young wizard Harry Potter.

With its vast halls and soaring archways, Government College University in the eastern megacity of Lahore has long reminded students of the magical school created by British author J.K. Rowling, several students told AFP.

"I can't believe I'm in Hogwarts, while being in Lahore of all places," said an excited Raziah Alam, taking part in the festival.

"This has been such a fun experience."

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Dressed in costumes from the "Potterverse" including wands and pointed witch and wizard hats, students welcomed visitors to their version of the Hogwarts "Great Hall", decorated with broomsticks, bats, and even an area to brew potions.

The theme music from the Harry Potter films played in the background as students tried out spells, took photos wearing the famous "Sorting Hat", and dressed up in Hogwarts uniforms.

"Most of these youngsters grew up at the time when JK Rowling's work was being presented in the novels and then later on in the films," Dr Asghar Zaidi, the university's vice chancellor and a "Potterhead" himself told AFP.

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He added that when students come to the campus "they see the architecture, it reminds them of Hogwarts."

"I think the magic is coming through the inspiration it is bringing about to our other students," he added proudly.

The festival is also screening what is believed to be Pakistan's first fan-made Harry Potter film.

Titled "The Last Follower and the Resurrection of Voldemort," the film was made and acted by students and comes with special effects, spells and a gripping storyline.

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"We really thought it would be a crazy idea to change the building, put some mountains around it, create some characters that can go with it," the film's director and cinematographer Waleed Akram told AFP.

He said he was pleased with the film's reception among students.

Since the release of the first Harry Potter novel in 1997, the books have found immense popularity, including in Pakistan.

They have sold over 500 million copies worldwide, in addition to the famous film franchise.

It took more than a wave of a wand, but Pakistani university students transformed their 150-year-old campus into Hogwarts this week as they kicked off a festival celebrating the fictional young wizard Harry Potter.

It took more than a wave of a wand, but Pakistani university students transformed their 150-year-old campus into Hogwarts this week as they kicked off a festival celebrating the fictional young wizard Harry Potter. With its vast halls and soaring archways, Government College University in the eastern megacity of Lahore has long reminded students of the magical school created by British author J.K. Rowling, several students told AFP. "I can't believe I'm in Hogwarts, while being in Lahore of all places," said an excited Raziah Alam, taking part in the festival. "This has been such a fun experience." On Silk Smitha’s birth anniversary, Kamal Haasan recalls the sad sexy siren Dressed in costumes from the "Potterverse" including wands and pointed witch and wizard hats, students welcomed visitors to their version of the Hogwarts "Great Hall", decorated with broomsticks, bats, and even an area to brew potions. The theme music from the Harry Potter films played in the background as students tried out spells, took photos wearing the famous "Sorting Hat", and dressed up in Hogwarts uniforms. "Most of these youngsters grew up at the time when JK Rowling's work was being presented in the novels and then later on in the films," Dr Asghar Zaidi, the university's vice chancellor and a "Potterhead" himself told AFP. Will Salman Khan attend Katrina Kaif- Vicky Kaushal's wedding? He added that when students come to the campus "they see the architecture, it reminds them of Hogwarts." "I think the magic is coming through the inspiration it is bringing about to our other students," he added proudly. The festival is also screening what is believed to be Pakistan's first fan-made Harry Potter film. Titled "The Last Follower and the Resurrection of Voldemort," the film was made and acted by students and comes with special effects, spells and a gripping storyline. Ranveer Singh's '83' to Akshay Kumar's 'Atrangi Re': What to watch on OTT and theatres in December "We really thought it would be a crazy idea to change the building, put some mountains around it, create some characters that can go with it," the film's director and cinematographer Waleed Akram told AFP. He said he was pleased with the film's reception among students. Since the release of the first Harry Potter novel in 1997, the books have found immense popularity, including in Pakistan. They have sold over 500 million copies worldwide, in addition to the famous film franchise.

Pakistan students work magic to transform campus into Harry Potter's Hogwarts

The novel coronavirus outbreak began from China's Wuhan, which later became an epicentre three months ago and during that time when many countries were busy evacuating their citizens from the region, Pakistan, on the contrary, refused to repatriate its stranded students.

The decision saw huge uproar with many parents protesting, but Pakistan, in its defence, said that it is working with China to ensure safety of their students.&nbsp;

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Now, when normalcy is returned in Wuhan, the same Pakistani students are in a dilemma either to return to the country where the coronavirus outbreak is worsening by the day or to continue to their stay in China.&nbsp;

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Mir Hassan, who is doing PhD computer architecture student in Wuhan, is desperate to reach home for his mother after his father passed away in February due to a heart ailment.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
"I want to go home because this is my motherland ... every day I call my mother she is crying," Nir said.

There are more than one thousand Pakistani students in Wuhan and despite the health risk in their home country, a number of&nbsp;them still want to return.&nbsp;

Hasan also said that the COVID-19 outbreak and his father's death in the same period had been psychologically challenging.&nbsp;

"Staying in one room, anxiety grows, depression also,” he said, adding that they felt happy with the realisation that they could step&nbsp;outside Wuhan but psychological battles continue.&nbsp;

Hafsa Tayyab, a medical student in Wuhan, hopes that commercial flights would reopen mid-April and she would take the first one to reach Pakistan.&nbsp;"I would like to go. Firstly, I will be with my family in this critical situation, secondly being a (medical) student I would like to serve my country," Hafsa said.

She said that it's "more stressful" to continue staying in China when her family is in a "critical zone".&nbsp;

However, other students, want to remain in China as they understand that China has largely controlled this virus and expect the condition in Pakistan to deteriorate in the coming days.&nbsp;

Muhammad Wasim Akram, whose wife is studying in Hubei province had initially been desperate for her to come back. Recently, they decided that she should stay put.

"We both decided that she won't return back until the situation comes under control (in Pakistan)," he said.

Wasim also has a reason for everyone to stay cheerful.&nbsp;

"I would like to say to Pakistani people ... to stay home and maintain social distancing. It is a hard time for everyone but after this hard time we have a lot of happiness. We are alive," Wasim said.&nbsp;

(With Reuters inputs)

The novel coronavirus outbreak began from China's Wuhan, which later became an epicentre three months ago and during that time when many countries were busy evacuating their citizens from the region, Pakistan, on the contrary, refused to repatriate its stranded students.

The novel coronavirus outbreak began from China's Wuhan, which later became an epicentre three months ago and during that time when many countries were busy evacuating their citizens from the region, Pakistan, on the contrary, refused to repatriate its stranded students. The decision saw huge uproar with many parents protesting, but Pakistan, in its defence, said that it is working with China to ensure safety of their students. Also read | IMF says Pakistan's economy may contract by 1.5 per cent Now, when normalcy is returned in Wuhan, the same Pakistani students are in a dilemma either to return to the country where the coronavirus outbreak is worsening by the day or to continue to their stay in China. Also read | Pakistan extends coronavirus lockdown, seeks to lift some curbs Mir Hassan, who is doing PhD computer architecture student in Wuhan, is desperate to reach home for his mother after his father passed away in February due to a heart ailment. "I want to go home because this is my motherland ... every day I call my mother she is crying," Nir said. There are more than one thousand Pakistani students in Wuhan and despite the health risk in their home country, a number of them still want to return. Hasan also said that the COVID-19 outbreak and his father's death in the same period had been psychologically challenging. "Staying in one room, anxiety grows, depression also,” he said, adding that they felt happy with the realisation that they could step outside Wuhan but psychological battles continue. Hafsa Tayyab, a medical student in Wuhan, hopes that commercial flights would reopen mid-April and she would take the first one to reach Pakistan. "I would like to go. Firstly, I will be with my family in this critical situation, secondly being a (medical) student I would like to serve my country," Hafsa said. She said that it's "more stressful" to continue staying in China when her family is in a "critical zone". However, other students, want to remain in China as they understand that China has largely controlled this virus and expect the condition in Pakistan to deteriorate in the coming days. Muhammad Wasim Akram, whose wife is studying in Hubei province had initially been desperate for her to come back. Recently, they decided that she should stay put. "We both decided that she won't return back until the situation comes under control (in Pakistan)," he said. Wasim also has a reason for everyone to stay cheerful. "I would like to say to Pakistani people ... to stay home and maintain social distancing. It is a hard time for everyone but after this hard time we have a lot of happiness. We are alive," Wasim said. (With Reuters inputs)

To return or not? Pakistani students, who were stuck in China, faces dilemma

Mohammad Iqbal Awan's daughter Fiza is still stuck in China. Awan met with Pakistan's health minister to request for his daughter's evacuation. He refused. Awan and his daughter reached out to WION to appeal for help. WION's Palki Sharma gets you the story.

Gravitas: Wuhan coronavirus, an appeal from a helpless family in Pakistan

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WION Speed News: Watch National and International news | 12 February 2020 | World News | English News

WION Speed News: Watch National and International news | 11 February 2020 | World News | English News

Pakistan has refused to airlift and evacuate its citizens from Wuhan despite several appeals from families of those based in the epicentre of coronavirus outbreak.

China: Pak students plead for their govt's help

WION Speed News: Watch National and International news | 10 February 2020 | World News | English News

WION Speed News: Watch National and International news | February 09, 2020

Around 500 Pakistani nationals are stranded in China. Islamabad has refused to rescue them. Today, India said it could help, if Pakistan makes a request. Will Islamabad reach out to New Delhi? WION's Palki Sharma has the story.

Gravitas: Wuhan Virus, India throws a lifeline to Pakistan

Gravitas: Coronavirus- India offers help to Pakistan

Pakistan will not airlift its citizens stranded in Wuhan, the Chinese city worst hit by the Novel Coronavirus outbreak, which has killed over 300 people in the country.

Pakistan Won't Airlift Its People From Virus-Hit China

WION Speed News: Watch top national and international news of the morning - February 04, 2020

On Thursday, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared a global health emergency over the outbreak of the coronavirus, which is believed to have originated at a wild animal market in Wuhan and was first detected in December 2019.

Coronavirus Outbreak: Pak students appeal to their govt for help

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