Self publicity? All public libraries asked to keep PM’s biography

Institutions requested to purchase ‘Muhammad Nawaz Sharif Dastan-e-Hayaat’

LAHORE: If Quaid-e-Azam’s portraits at government buildings were a common sight, Nawaz Sharif’s biography may soon become a regular feature at all public libraries in Punjab. The provincial government has asked all libraries across the province to buy a biography of the prime minister.

According to a notification issued by the Punjab Services & General Administration Department’s Archives & Libraries Wing, all public libraries, including those of educational institutions, have been directed to purchase a book titled ‘Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif Dastan-e-Hayaat’ – a biography of the elder Sharif brother written by Tariq Ahmad Khan, a Multan-based writer.

The notification, a copy of which is available with The Express Tribune, mentions the words ‘books’ while requesting the institutions to buy ‘them’. But only one book is listed on the notification.

“The Government of the Punjab, Archives & Libraries Wing, Services & General Admin Department is pleased to approve the following books for Academics and Public Libraries in the Province. You are accordingly requested to convey the approval of the Government to your lower formation for further necessary action,” the letter reads verbatim.

“The heads of the institutions should purchase the approved books out of the funds available with them for the said purpose,” it adds.

An official of a public library in Lahore told The Express Tribune that the notification of approval and asking for the purchase of the biography was sent by the administrative department on January 4. The book has been purchased and is available for the readers, said the official, who requested not to be named.

Opposition Leader in the Punjab Assembly Mehmoodur Rasheed termed the move ‘unethical’.

“We condemn this act by the Punjab government,” said the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader. “On the one hand, rulers are embroiled in corruption cases and on the other, they are trying to project themselves through such moves.”

Mehmood added the PTI condemns all such acts by the government and such a move was an insult to the education system.

When contacted, Libraries Secretary Ahmed Raza Sarwar said that it was a routine matter to approve books and send such notifications.

“Writers and publishers submit their books to us and we review them to check for anything that is against the rules and regulations such as hate speech, anti-state material or content having sectarianism,” he said. “After the vetting process, the department gives approvals and sends out the notification.”

Sarwar said it was not mandatory for libraries to purchase the books approved by the department. “The notification was meant to update libraries about the approved books. Seven or eight other books were also approved in the same meeting,” he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 3^rd, 2017.