By Imtiaz Hussain
SUKKUR: The deputy mayor of Sukkur, Dr Arshad Mughal, conducted a detailed visit to the city’s historic General Library, meeting with staff and reviewing the building’s overall condition, facilities, and the challenges facing the institution.
Established in 1837, the library had served as an important centre of knowledge, literature, and research in Sukkur for over 180 years. However, prolonged neglect had left the building in urgent need of repair and renovation.
Dr Mughal inspected the library building, reading hall, and other sections, and observed a collection of old and rare books, including hundreds of volumes on various subjects. He was informed that in the past the library had been a hub for social and literary activities in the city, with administrative affairs once managed by notable figures such as Dewan Bhoj Singh Ji Pahaljani, the first Speaker of the Sindh Assembly.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Mughal said the General Library was not merely a building but a valuable intellectual heritage of Sukkur, and its preservation was a collective responsibility. He assured that steps for the restoration, repair, and improvement of the library would be initiated promptly, aiming to revitalise the institution and restore it as an active centre of learning for students, researchers, and knowledge-seeking citizens.
