SHELVES of old books on myriad subjects at the Book Fair, owned by Mohammad Abid Siddiqui, in Old Anarkali. Photo by writer
ONCE a big allure for Lahore’s literati, Pratap Street that comes on the right side as one enters the Old Anarkali Bazaar from the Mall Road now has only a couple of old books shops left as many others remained unable to withstand the rigours of operational demands.
The street used to house half a dozen shops of old books until some years back.
Shahid Book House is one of the last two shops here still catering to the need of readers as it has a considerable stock of books on a variety of subjects like history, literature and medicine. Tucked behind his table, surrounded by books right at the entrance braving the winds of time, Shahid Mehmood is the only bookseller seen here during a visit to the street. Another senior bookseller, Badar, is not that regular.