Book sales, reading culture dwindle in Herat City

HERAT CITY (Pajhwok): Booksellers in the capital of western Herat province complain of business stagnation, saying they have fallen on hard times.

 They say the purchase and sale of books have hit an all-time low in Herat City, where people — especially youth –have lost interest in reading.

After last year’s political change in the country and migration of university teachers, bookstalls, where youth and other individuals used to gather, have gone quiet. This has put a direct negative impact on booksellers.

Gul Ahmad, a bookseller, told Pajhwok Afghan News that with the fall of the previous government and the subsequent brain drain, their business had been showing a downward trend.

It has become difficult for him and other booksellers to attract buyers. He claimed they could not even pay the rent of their shops

Juma Ahmadi, another bookseller in Herat, recalled they sold books worth 10,000 afs daily in the past. But the sales have now slumped to 2,000 afs.

Resident Ahmad Javed, meanwhile, voiced deep concern at the declining reading culture in the city. The existence of social networks and their improper use had eroded public interest in book reading, he noted.

Information Director Javid Dargham pledged to launch book-reading competitions and arrange exhibitions to encourage the reading culture among students.

“We have planned events which will be conducted to promote the book-reading culture in Herat,” the director said.

Nasir Armal, a Herat University graduate, warned future generations would be affected if the reading culture continued to haunt society.

nh/mud

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