HYDERABAD: A division bench of Sindh High Court Hyderabad circuit comprising Justice Salahuddin Panhwar and Justice Adnan Iqbal Chaudhry on Monday directed parties to maintain status quo in respect of Khanabadosh Writers Cafe, which was being closed by the culture department.

The court ordered director Sindh museum to restore utility services of writers till next date of hearing i.e. Aug 1 at 10am while issuing notices to official respondents.

The court also directed Hyderabad commissioner to visit Daudpota library which is part of Sindh Museum and maintained by culture and tourism department.

The order said that commissioner’s report should include number of books and availability of seats as well as availability of computers.

Commissioner should further submit report with regard to public libraries in Hyderabad’s urban areas and he would be competent to depute officer who should visit all public libraries, under provincial and local governments’ control.

The order was passed on a constitutional petition filed by civil society activists including writers, teachers and others through Mir Mohammad Mangrio. The chief secretary, secretary culture, director general culture and Sindh Museum director Raza Rizvi are cited as respondents.

Published in Dawn, July 23rd, 2019