THATTA, June 5: The general secretary of the Thatta Historical Society and librarian of the Makhdoom Mohammad Hashim Thatvi Library, Mr Abdullah Gandhro, has called upon research institutes and administrators of libraries to preserve a rare collection of books which also includes several Persian manuscripts.

Talking to journalists here on Sunday, he said that the books were collected from the ruins of Makli and Sonda necropolis, centuries-old graveyards and Mughal-era mosques.

He said that he was ready to hand over rare Persian manuscripts to Khana-i-Farhang Iran.

Mr Ghandhro said that he had a collection of over 700 books and manuscripts which could be used for research.

He said that recent theft of rare manuscripts, including over five centuries-old manuscript of Holy Quran with Arabic interpretation penned by Mullah Miskeen, from his library had forced him to take decision of handing over books to established institutes and libraries.