Massive load-shedding has disturbed the publications business as increased costs have caused book prices to spiral out of control, Pakistan Today has learnt. Urdu Bazaar publishers claim a slump in their business due to unprecedented load-shedding. According to a book seller, prices of books have increased by 40 percent within a year. Load-shedding is not only halting production, but also causing a paucity of paper due to a decrease in paper production. To add insult to the injury, inflation is shying away the customers who have been weighed down by an inexorable rise in prices. Publishers claim that they have switched off their generators due to a whopping diesel price.
On the other hand, customers claim that load-shedding is nothing more than an excuse for private publishers who are already playing with the futures of their children by publishing error-ridden textbooks. A book shop owner believes the common man is between the devil and the deep blue sea. “Firstly, he has to pay through his nose for his child’s school fees, and then he is put to another big test — buying his child new books,” he said. Bookshop owners from all over the city visit Urdu Bazaar to buy notebooks, books and stationery. Urdu Bazaar has always served as a treasure trove of books and stationery for the students of Government College University and the University of Punjab, Old Campus.
A private publisher, Irfan, told Pakistan Today that he used to publish 7,000 books in a single season, but the number has shrunk to 3000 nowadays. He claimed that the publishers are facing a huge shortage of paper and its price has increased immensely. He said the demand for books has risen drastically following price increases. He said last year the price of a model paper was Rs 70 and now it is selling at Rs 120. He maintained that book buying has now become a luxury, since not every person can buy expensive books for their children. Bookshop owners outside Urdu Bazaar claim that due to rising petrol prices they cannot afford to visit the Bazaar frequently.
They said that load-shedding has a multi-dimensional effect on the sale of books. Firstly, the publishers don’t meet the deadlines, secondly the paper mills also make delays in supplying paper and lastly the customers, who can afford to buy books. prefer to go only to air-conditioned shops. An Urdu Bazaar publisher claimed the production of books has fallen by 60%. Urdu Bazaar traders claim that people prefer to buy books from shops in their locations. They complain that prolonged load-shedding is irking the book sellers and making them cranky. Ali Gohar, a bookseller at Urdu Bazaar, said that they are facing a considerable amount of losses due to unscheduled load-shedding He said the rising electricity price is forcing the traders to switch their businesses. Another book shop owner said that the profit margin for Urdu Bazaar traders is too low compared to book sellers outside the market.
