SHANGLA: The first library of Shangla district was opened in Bisham city on Monday.

An orphan, third grade girl, Zakira Bibi, inaugurated the library by cutting a ribbon during a special ceremony, where notables, educationists, youths and government officials members were in attendance.

The library was established by the Youth Jirga, a local community organisation.

“The people from different walks of life have donated books for the library, while traders have also helped us realise our dream of establishing a library in the district,” Jirga member Wakeel Khan told Dawn. He said the library was essential for the local youths as they had lost the interest of reading books due to growing cellphone use.

Imad Ahmed Khan, a local political activist, said in yesteryears, the people used to read books after books but after the arrival of cellphone had turned the people away from books.

He said youths could bring about a real change in that respect through awareness.

“I will back youths in welfare work. The government should help people create better educational environment for youths,” he said. He urged lawmakers to donate books to the library.

Ms Zakira Bibi said she was happy over the honour and respect given to her and wished to work for the people’s development like teachers.

She said the area had many orphan girls but majority of them were out of schools and therefore, the government and public welfare organisation should come forward to help them to enrol in schools for better future.

Farmanullah Yousafzai, one of the library organisers, said the establishment of library was meant to promote book reading among the people, especially youths.

He said registration for the library had begun and therefore, more and more people should benefit from it. The organiser said the library would get more books in future for which a fundraising campaign was under way.

Published in Dawn, October 9th, 2018