Public library inauguration postponed for 5th time

Thousands of rare books face damage due to prolonged closure of building

HARIPUR:

The inauguration of the Rs150 million public library has been postponed once again. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister (CM) Mahmood Khan was supposed to inaugurate the library, however, it has been delayed due to coronavirus pandemic.

The library’s inauguration has been delayed several times before also for unknown reasons. Because of the constant delay, thousands of books are in danger of being lost and the walls are already partially damaged.

According to details, Waqar Al-Nazib Public Library, near Ghazi Hamlet Boys College in Haripur, was built by the daughter of Col. Aurangzeb Khan Waqar Nazeeb Tahir Kheli in his father’s memory. She held top positions in the bureaucracy, including deputy commissioner Peshawar. However, the library is still awaiting its opening even five years after its constriction.

Sources said a member of the Sherpao Party and a political figure in the constituency, Senator Anisa Zeb Tahir Khel, had taken a personal interest in the library’s construction by providing funds of Rs150 million. However, the building remains unused even five years after its completion. Problems are becoming worse because of non-recruitment of staff.

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Sources said the local people are reportedly being ignored in recruitment while the delay in opening the library was because of education department officials who were refusing to take possession of the building. They said the chief minister was scheduled to inaugurate the public library on Tuesday, but the inauguration has been postponed yet again.

After the latest postponement, the building has been handed over to the Peshawar Archives Department and it has taken responsibility for its maintenance. No official of the library management could be contacted for their comment.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 8^th, 2021.