KARACHI: A library was established on the premises of the University of Karachi in memory of Dr Jameel Jalibi, a former vice chancellor of the university and head of the National Language Promotion Department, Pakistan, according to a statement issued here on Tuesday.

It said that the ‘Dr Jameel Jalibi Research Library’ was established by his son, Dr Khawar Jameel, by bringing together his father’s personal collection of valuable and rare books. It stands on a plot adjacent to KU’s Mahmood-ul-Hassan Library, which is a fine piece of architecture designed by his young nephew, Nabeel Akbar (architect).

According to the statement, the library was opened at a ceremony held on August 14. The first part of the ceremony was held under the chairmanship of Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah and the second one by Mazhar-ul-Haq Siddiqui, a former vice chancellor of Sindh University, Jamshoro.

Speaking at the ceremony, Prof Noshaba shed light on the scholarly and literary services of Dr Jameel Jalibi and his relentless efforts for the promotion of Urdu language and literature.

Prominent among those who attended the programme included KU vice chancellor Dr Khalid Iraqi, Justice Athar Saeed, Dr Moin Uddin Aqeel, Dr Jafar Ahmed, Meraj Jami, Mobin Mirza and Nabeel Akbar. The ceremony was moderated by Prof Noshaba Siddiqui.

Prof Dr Younis Hassani, Mehmood Sham, Niazmandan-i-Karachi chairperson Ronaq Hayat, Prof Sehar Ansari, Dr Hafiz Muhammad Sohail Shafiq, Zaheen Alam, Dr Naseem Fatima, Anis Zubair, Advocate Sajid Mubashir, Rizwan Siddiqui, Sadaqat Ali Usmani, Shamim Bazil, Huma Azmi, Syed Saleem Shah, Muzammil Tanveer, Tanveer Sukhan and other known figures from academia, literature, journalism, politics, law and judiciary as well as social circles were present.

The presidential address was delivered by Mazhar-ul-Haq Siddiqui. The ceremony came to an end with the distribution of shields.

Published in Dawn, August 18th, 2021