MINGORA: The education activists have urged the local residents to donate used books to the poor and needy students.

Under the `Kitab Zai` campaign, they`ve set up a stall near Swat Library on Said Sharif Road to distribute used books, both on curricular and extracurricular activities, to needy and poor students.

The activists said they`d taken the initiative to further the cause of education in the region.

`We want to spread knowledge among people and help poor students continue with studies through distribution of books, Ghous Ali Khan, a campaign organiser, told Dawn.

He said he and other campaign members had informed friends and relatives to give them used books.

Mr Ghous Ali sought the people`s help to make the campaign asuccess.

The local educationists welcomed the initiative saying it will help spread education and create love for books among the people.

`Unfortunately, our youths have distanced themselves from books and can be seen wasting time on social media. In developed countries, the people love books and spend time reading them,` said educationist Shakil Khan.

He said the organisers should extend the campaign to every tehsil of the district to the benefit of poor students.

`Though the initiative is new and many people do not know about it, students and booklovers can be seen stand at the stall to get books,` he said.

Mohammad Iqbal, a student of the Government Jahanzeb College, said the campaign was unique and beneficial for the poor students, and therefore, it should continue.The local social and education activists also appreciated the campaign and said they would helporganisers collect books from different parts of the region.

The Kitab Zai campaign`sorganisers asked the people to give them used books for distribution to poor and needy students.