SADIQABAD, March 6: Mir Syed Zahid Husain, a close companion of the Quaid-i-Azam and a prominent figure of the city, had proposed an idea to set up a library in the early 60s.

He had also desired to name it Hameed Nizami Library for the struggle he waged for winning independence and freedom of press.

He had been successful in transforming his desire into reality when the municipality with the support of the late Muhammad Ashraf Bajwa, a prominent city figure, acceded to his wish.

The site for the proposed library was allotted near the present building of the National Bank of Pakistan. But, it was turned into a ladies park which was inaugurated by the wife of then divisional commissioner, Mir Ajab Khan. Later, harsh words over the issue were exchanged between Zahid Husain and the divisional commissioner.

During the Gen Zia’s era, another site was allotted on the foot of an overhead bridge on the premises of military camping ground. The district head of administration, Chaudhry M Ashraf, Chaudhry Nazir Ahmad and assistant commissioner Sheikh Manzoor Ahmad had played a pivotal role in this regard.

The then municipal administrator, Abdul Majeed Pirzada, had sanctioned Rs125,000 for the spade work of the landscape which was completed accordingly. The project had to face another setback when the camping ground became a bone of contention between the municipality and the military authorities.

Till mid-eighties, legal proceedings between the two important state organs had also deprived the local sportsmen of the stadium facility.

Eventually, the local municipality had to shift the library at a temporary building near the city’s rest house.

Notables of the city have asked the authorities concerned to allow the construction of library and stadium on the camping ground for the convenience of the people.