KARACHI: In August last year, the Sindh government helped set up Karachi’s second street library at Lyari’s Baloch Chowk. The project was undertaken in collaboration with the District Municipal Corporation (DMC) South with proper projection as one of its officials posted a video on social media of the library.

At the time, Iftikhar Shallwani was commissioner of the city who inaugurated the facility. The first such library in the city near Metropole roundabout was also his brainchild, and widely appreciated.

These days Street Library Lyari cuts a not-so-enlightening picture. It is a little disconcerting because a big number of book-loving people live in the area. Although it doesn’t come across as deserted and is still a pretty catchy sight if you happen to be around it, the empty bookshelves and unclean benches leave quite a bit to be desired.

One understands that the government and administrative units in Sindh care a great deal about Lyari. One way of showing concern and care for a particular neighbourhood is to make efforts for the improvement of its education system. And there is no better way to do that than to build reservoirs of books, and make them presentable for men, women and children.

Published in Dawn, February 7th, 2021