KARACHI: The British Council has launched its library here in Sindhi capital after a period of 14 years.
The launching ceremony, held at the British Council Library, was attended by Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad Khan, Sindh Special Assistant Sharmila Farooqui and British Deputy High Commissioner in Karachi Belinda Lewis.
Welcoming the guests, British Council’s acting country director Jim Booth said that the British libraries in Karachi and Lahore would serve as a hub for cultural development, integration and strengthen cultural relationship between Pakistan and the UK.
“The libraries complement our existing efforts to create educational opportunities, share knowledge and ideas, and cultivate an environment for creativity and learning,” he added. The British Council aims to rebuild and revolutionise its library to provide a 21st-century experience to Pakistanis.
In addition to physical walk-in spaces in Lahore and Karachi, a vast digital library resource is also available that will bring the very best of Pakistan and UK content to readers across the country. “I welcome the British Council’s huge investment in continuing to support the cultural development of Pakistan and in particular that of the people of Sindh,” the Sindh governor said in his closing remarks.
He welcomed the British Council’s commitment towards creating stronger cultural ties with Pakistan through the new libraries in Karachi and Lahore. He said that he has no doubt that the British Council library would continue to grow in the hearts of the Karachi people and in the soul of the city.
Special Assistant Sharmila Farooqui was of the view that it was just fabulous that the British Council was now giving the people of Karachi a library. The inspiring thing is that this is part of a wider British Council Library programme across South Asia – Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka.
The deputy high commissioner said that the new library in Karachi was really exciting resource. “I have already signed up to be a member. I’m a huge fan of libraries but I am old fashioned: the digital offerings here look fantastic but you will find me surrounded by books,” she said.
The reopening of the British Council library will provide a cultural space for the youth to connect, create and innovate, said Director Libraries Maarya Rehman. She said that the British Council libraries also aim to provide technical support to provincial governments in Pakistan regarding their digital library ambitions.
The British Council has a diverse education, arts and society portfolio, creating linkages between Pakistan and the UK to build the capacity of teachers, students, institutions and young people across Pakistan.
