ISLAMABAD, April 27: The Quaid-i-Azam University’s library has not received the latest research journals for the last one year, although an amount of Rs0.5 million had been paid to a Lahore-based book-seller, sources at the QAU administration block said.

An inquiry has already been initiated to find out the factors which have led to the delay in the delivery of research journals.

These journals are considered to be the main source of information about the latest research being carried out in the world, sources said.

A university official, on condition of anonymity, said in the last couple of years, library officials in connivance with certain book-sellers deliberately delayed the delivery of books, on the pretext of funds shortages to earn commission.

He said many book-sellers approached the officials concerned in the library for the contract, but were not entertained because these officials had links with certain book-sellers.

When contacted, the president of QAU’s Employees Union Sufi Abdul Ghafoor confirmed that there were certain library officials who earned commissions from the purchase of research journals.

A group of students were of the view that instead of improving the library, its condition was deteriorating by the day.

Chief librarian Sheikh Hanif was not available for comments as he was on leave.