Sir: Through this esteemed newspaper I want to draw the attention of the authorities concerned towards the rising prices of books in Urdu bazaar Karachi. Urdu bazaar had traditionally been the least expensive market for buying school and college books. People would not mind travelling long distances to save a considerable amount. The situation has changed now. Not only new but second hand books too are equally expensive. The culture of book reading is already on the decline. With no check on the prices of books, there will be a complete academic collapse in an underdeveloped country where 70 percent people are poor. I therefore request the authorities to find an urgent solution to this problem. ANUM ZEHRAKarachi