KARACHI, July 8: The suspension of the Sunday bazaar of second-hand books at Frere hall has disappointed book-lovers. Frere Hall was closed to the public after the bomb blast on June 14, so for the past four weeks the book bazaar has not been held.

The US consulate and the residence of the US consul-general are situated alongside Frere Hall. The administration closed the roads along the park for security reasons after the bomb explosion outside the US consulate.

Fatima Jinnah Road and one track of Abdullah Haroon Road have recently been opened to traffic, but Frere Hall remains closed.

Since Frere Hall was declared out of bounds to the public, sellers of second-hand books have shifted to Regal Chowk, Saddar. But here police have been harassing them. Poor booksellers are picked up and are released after extortion. An atmosphere of fear has been prevailing at Regal Chowk.—APP