Valuable books of Peshawar’s public library lie sans fixed abode

In the bustling Peshawar of today the idea of public libraries is gradually fading, a fact that is reflected in the condition valuable books of one of the city’s public libraries is left in.

The books that are now knotted in sacks and left in a building in Peshawar’s Shahi Bagh area, once adorned the shelves of a public library in Gor Gathri tehsil.

Since Gor Gathri tehsil is situated in a populated area of Peshawar, many people would frequent the library, which was set up within the premises of a wedding hall in the area. The records of around 10 reading rooms of the city would also be kept there.

However, the library had to be emptied in October as the provincial government sent orders to excavate site near by for Gandhara civilisation relics. The library was emptied also because it was alleged that the wedding hall it shared a premises with was illegally built on the land.

Although claims have been made of the library being set up in the building in Shahi Bagh area, employees of the district administration deployed for the work concerned believe the plan would not materialise. According to the district administration officials, the building where the books have been kept was bought by FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) to bring international football to Peshawar. Therefore, they said, the building too might not be the permanent abode for the valuable books — even from the 18th century — and historic records.

When asked, students in Peshawar said the building looks less like a library and more like an abandoned site as there are no lights, fans or windows there. They said the books are lying inside and are not kept for use by the public