PESHAWAR, Oct 21: Work on Rehman Baba Memorial Library Complex being constructed in memory of great mystic poet of Pashto at the site of his mausoleum in Khazarkhwani on the outskirts of the Peshawar city is yet to be finished.

Comprising a magnificent dome, mosque, auditorium, library and cafeteria, the complex, which has so far cost nearly Rs30 million, was inaugurated by former President of Pakistan Sardar Farooq Ahmad Khan Leghari in 1994.

However, it has not been decided as yet that who would take care of the complex once it is complete or which department would be given the task of looking after the project.

The question, which has been pestering the literary circles as well as about half a dozen departments of the provincial government for the last eight years, could be resolved by appointing an unanimously agreed body to take over the project and hold literary functions there.

The double-storey auditorium, consisting of a hall and a gallery, can accommodate 450 people. The library has a capacity for 70 people and 10,000 books, while 50 people can be accommodated in the cafeteria.

The project was approved by the former chief minister of NWFP, Arbab Jehangir Khan, with a view to promoting Rehman Baba’s message of humanity.

Work on the complex commenced in Dec 1991 at an estimated cost of Rs25 million, of which the now defunct Peshawar Development Authority received over Rs17 million while it spent the rest of the amount from its own kitty. Originally designed to be completed in 18 months, the project is still incomplete.

“Too many cooks spoil the broth can, perhaps, precisely describe the state of the project initiated to pay tribute to Rehman Baba, the 17th century great mystic poet of Pashto,” said Khawaja Mohammad Khan Saail, a well-known literary figure, critic and poet.

Of the several claimants and prospective caretakers of the complex, some of whom, like the Rehman Adabi Tolana (Rehman Literary Society) and the Auqaf Department, try to assume charge of the complex, and some, like the PDA, Pashto Adabi Board, Pashto Academy (Peshawar University) and the Department of Archives and Libraries, are even repulsed at the idea of being entrusted with its responsibility.

The seemingly un-ending “cold war” among the departments and the Rehman Adabi Tolana has inordinately delayed, and impaired, the commissioning of the complex.

Though at present the Department of Archives and Libraries looks after the building by way of having deputed a couple of watchmen there, the memorial complex remains locked since its inauguration, except when it is opened for two or three days in April to hold the annual anniversary of the great poet.

When asked why Rehman Adabi Tolana was not taking charge of the complex, the patron, Sher Shah Tarkhwi, said since the complex was incomplete, it was not possible for the society to to take over its possession. The auditorium has no sound system or seating arrangement and same is the case with library and cafeteria, he remarked. He said the provincial government departments were creating hurdles in the way of Rehman Adabi Tolana to take charge of the building. The Tolana is the most deserving body to run the complex as it was approved and constructed after several years of struggle by the members of the society, Mr Tarkhwi observed.

To a question that why the Tolana was not shifting its offices to the complex, Sher Shah said that the authorities concerned had blocked its way.

A senior official of the Auqaf Department said that on many occasions, the Tolana hindered the department’s efforts to take hold of the complex. He said that a couple of months back two provincial ministers along with senior officials of the Auqaf and Religious Affairs department had visited the complex to explore the chances of managing the complex, adding the effort was frustrated by the Tolana.

He said that the team had to force the watchmen to open the locks, so that the ministers could have a view of the auditorium and library. He said that the Tolana was a group of “so-called poets and writers,” who cherished their own personal interests.