KARACHI: The launch of the British Council library in Karachi, after a period of 14 years, was held on Thursday where Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan, special assistant to the Sindh CM Sharmila Farooqui, British deputy high commissioner in Karachi Belinda Lewis, and acting country director of the British Council Jim Booth were present.

Mr Booth said that the newly launched British Council libraries in Karachi and Lahore would serve as hubs for cultural development, integration, while and strengthen the cultural relationship between the UK and Pakistan.

He said that the libraries complement existing efforts to create educational opportunities, share knowledge and ideas, and cultivate an environment for creativity and learning.

It was pointed out that the British Council in Pakistan aims to rebuild and revolutionise its libaray to provide a 21st century experience to Pakistanis.

In addition to physical walk-in spaces in both Karachi and Lahore, a vast digital libaray resource will also be available that will bring the very best of content from the UK and Pakistan to readers across the country.

The Sindh governor inaugurated the library and in his closing remarks said, “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.”

He said that he has no doubt that the British Council library will continue to grow in the hearts of the people of Karachi, and in the soul of the city.

Ms Farooqui shared her enthusiasm about having a library for the people of Karachi. The inspiring thing, she said, was that this initiative is part of a wider British Council libaray programme across South Asia — India, Sri Lanka and Pakistan.

The British deputy high commissioner in Karachi, Ms Lewis, said that the new British Council libaray in Karachi was an 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.”

The reopening of the British Council library will provide a cultural space for the youth of Pakistan to connect, create and innovate, said director libraries at the British Council, Maarya Rehman.

She further added that the British Council libraries also aim to provide technical support to provincial governments in Pakistan regarding their digital library ambitions.

The British Council in Pakistan 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.

Published in Dawn, July 22nd, 2016