VIBRANT, progressive and knowledge-oriented nations have always recognised the value and significance of literature from the earliest times. They have also consistently invested in its production and dissemination. In this regard, postal services and shipping companies offer substantial discounts on books, enabling their delivery at remarkably low rates.
Even in British India, when the postal system was first introduced in 1854, the authorities gave this matter serious consideration and set exceptionally low postal rates for printed papers and books. They also formulated and promulgated formal rules of business for this purpose.
While Pakistan Post continues to struggle with numerous internal issues and administrative challenges, the book post service, in particular, remains mired in considerable uncertainty and confusion. Across the country, many small- and medium-sized post offices appear to have no clear concept of discounted rates for book post or printed papers.
Due to the lack of awareness and proper departmental directions and guidance among the internal booking staff as well as the public, postal customers are often paying disproportionately high postal charges for bulky books.
Another major issue of concern is the packing of books. Astonishingly, it varies from post office to post office and city to city. In some areas, like the Lahore General Post Office (GPO), there is a strong insis-tence that the books must be completely open on one side. On the other hand, no one guarantees the safety of that book.
During careless handling and hurried transportation, these open-sided books prove to be highly vulnerable and get damaged. Besides, dust and moisture spoil the fun simply because there is no protection. In this era of staggering inflation, books have become extremely expensive. Their damage or destruction during transit is unacceptable under any circumstances for a booklover.
A somewhat peculiar issue is that some GPOs, including the one in Faisalabad, refuse to process book post at their booking counters, claiming that the specific discounted rates of this category are not available in their computer system, and, consequently, cannot be entered into the mail tracking and tracing system. Furthermore, book post must be processed through the nearest branch post office in person.
In some post offices, the rates of both categories of book post — textbooks and other than textbooks — are intentionally confused and misapplied. Ironically, this is sometimes done as a shortcut to gene-rating more revenue, taking advantage of the general public’s gullibility. Thus, staff members, by resorting to unnatural means of generating revenue, are under-mining public interest in Pakistan Post.
The aged concept of loose and unfastened packing of books was both practical and indispensable in an era when people relied solely on letters for communication. There was a risk that people might insert letters or cash notes into books to avoid paying extra postal charges or money order fee. Today, this risk has all but disappeared.
People no longer have anything to place inside books; not even flowers. Therefore, the old rules should be amended to allow books to be properly packed in bubble mailers and shoppers for safe and secure delivery.
Postal staff should be well-informed about the book post regulations, and they must be encouraged to facilitate the affordable delivery of books. This is also essential for social development. This would surely help restore the confidence of major publishing houses in Pakistan Post.
Qamar Abbas Warraich
Faisalabad
Published in Dawn, June 22nd, 2026