Shaheen Library and Azam Book Depot (Okara)

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Over 60 years ago, this is where used to be a News Stand/novels-books rental place called Shaheen Library and Azam Book Depot. I think, the owner's name was Siddiq and his wife's name was Shaheen. He must be in his early 70s now and his children may be in their late 40s or early 50s. He rented out, books and sold magazines, newspapers. One bad thing was that he rented out books to teenagers, which should be called X Rated or Adult Rated. He was a pleasant person, but I never liked his business techniques of renting out immoral books containing pornographic stories to adults or children.

Next to his newsstand was an Overhead Pedestrian Bridge to exit Okara and enter its suburbs. At the end of the bridge, to the right was Okara Train Station. Besides Pedestrians, bicycle riders also used this bridge, carrying their bikes on their shoulders and climbing the steps of the bridge to exit the city.

I love Okara and have many memories associated it. Our family owned agricultural lands and fruit orchards (Bagh) in the vicinity of Okara, in Gogera, in Karman Wala, and in Marula (North of Renala Khurd). Gogera used to be District Headquarters prior to Montgomery-Sahiwal during British Rule. I grew up in Lahore, but Okara was like a second home for us.

In late 1970s, we moved to USA, and love it here, while my brother and sisters are still settled in Lahore. You can search for uzkmi, through Wikimapia Search Bar on top right and read more about my snippets or tidbits.

Usman Muhammad Khan
New Jersey 08054-3315 USA
Wikimapia User: uzkmi
Updated: August 30, 2012

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