Book sellers demand permanent space for regular fairs

Arts and crafts vendors throng Arts Council for 'Koocha-e-Saqafat'

KARACHI: Local booksellers and vendors are distressed. They say that since last year, when the DHA Sunday Bazaar was abolished, they have been suffering from a shortage of space where people could delve into books.

Sohail Ahmed and Muhammad Hussain of Shabbir Book Stall are of the opinion that shops do not offer as much accessibility as fairs and stalls do. The duo was present at yet another re-launch of the 'Koocha-e-Saqafat' at Arts Council of Pakistan, Karachi on Sunday evening. With its inception at the Frere Hall Gardens in the early 2000s, and later relocation outside the Arts Council premises due to security concerns, the fair is back to being hosted every Sunday.



While arts and craft sellers and food vendors were delighted to have the fair back, book vendors with their popular and updated titles expressed mixed feelings.

"Yes it's great that Koocha-e-Saqafat is back but it can't be trusted to sustain. What we all want is a permanent space which we booksellers can rent out and organise a weekly event at," said Hussain, who has been in the business for forty years.

According to Hussain, the Sindh government's attitude is very disappointing when it comes to the love of books. "We visit Punjab every two to three months to participate in their book fairs. Sindh lacks interest in such activities as recently there has only been the Karachi Book Fair to count one," he said.

"As a community [of booksellers] we are ready to get together and share the rent of such a place," added another book vendor Sohail Ahmed. "Shops alone cannot suffice as the buyer comes with a targeted book in mind. We need a regular fair in the city," he said, adding that the revival of Koocha-e-Saqafat is better than having nothing at all.

On the other side, Darakhshan, a wheelchair ridden, home-based ladies kurta and khussa maker, was of the view that it is high time that Koocha-e-Saqafat stood back on its feet. "It is an excellent opportunity for home-based workers like me to have a place where I could put my items for sale," she said, beaming along with her young girls.



Muhammad Asghar from Hala district sat a bit perplexed with his freshly made pots. He said that he was approached by the organisers to host a stall of pottery every Sunday from now onwards. With traditional blue and green patterns drawn on his small pottery creations, Asghar said he has his own small workshop near his home where he and ten workers craft this distinctive wonder of Sindh. "Every Sunday we will ensure that every district of Sindh is represented here," said Sindh Governor Ishratul Ibad during his inaugural address at the fair.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 1^st,  2016.