Daily Times

PESHAWAR: The National Book Foundation (NBF) was not allowed to flourish Shehr-e-Kitab (City of the Books) in provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtukhwa (KP) by Peshawar Development Authority (PDA) without any apparent reason.

Deputy Director of NBF talking to Daily Times on Monday said after successfully completed Shehr-e-Kitab (City of the Books) project in Islamabad the regional office in KP took the same initiative in Peshawar-Hayatabad but was not allowed by PDA on the excuse of what it called a commercial activity.

He said a meeting was held with Salim Hassan Wattoo, Director General PDA where the NBF presented the proposal of temporary cabins of bookselling spots in Hayatabad. The authority rejected the idea without presenting any logical reason and the project went into despair, he said.

Jamat-e-Islami (JI) lawmaker said, requesting anonymity that the PDA was accessed to approve the project so the culture of the reading books would become lenient for common man but no avail.

The copy of the letter in which PDA has clearly reject the idea of Shehri-e-Kitab available with Daily Times, stated that the PDA was not in position to allow the establishment of book city and therefore the NBF can not undertake the project activity in the premises of Hayatabad.

The NBF has more than 14 Kanals of land in Hayatabad where the foundation wishes to set up books shops. However, when contacted the officials of the PDA decline to comment on the issue and termed that the issue specifically subjected to Saleem Watto to comment.

DG NBF Murad Mohmand lamented over the attitude of PDA for declining the opportunity for initiate the Shehr-e-Kitab in Peshawar city.

He said provincial government should keep vigilant eye on bureaucrats, dealing with proposals for public interest and promotion of healthy activities for youth and learned class.

Murad Mohmand also made appeal to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan, CM Parvaiz Khattak to look into matter for large public interest and allow the establishment of Sheher-i-Kitab in Peshawar. It is pertinent to mention here that the NBF has established a mega market under the name of Shehr-e-Kitab in Islamabad.