RECORDER REPORT

KARACHI: The Covid-19 pandemic has made the need of e-library (e-education) more viable, the Sindh High Court (SHC) has observed.

According to a written order of the court, secretary of culture department contended that after direction by this court, funds of 20 million rupees were allocated and released for enhancing the capacity of the Daudpota Library in Hyderabad, but this amount was frozen by the finance department due to Covid-19 pandemic.

The SHC bench, headed by Justice Salahuddin Panhwar, observed that the pandemic needs to make us conscious only but should not be an excuse to off-track us. Libraries are part of education which cannot be closed even in war. Without prejudice to this, the present pandemic has made the need of e-library (e-education) more viable.

The court ordered the secretary of finance to ensure that such amount was released forthwith without any delay. Compliance report shall be submitted on the next hearing, the bench directed.

The court also asked the district and sessions judges to assign visit of libraries established by all departments to the magistrates, who shall ensure smooth working thereof and availability of competitive examination books therein and submit report through MIT with regard to requirements, as well as to the concerned department.