British Council Inaugurates Library In Karachi

KARACHI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 21th july, 2016) : The British Council in Pakistan has launched its library in Karachi after a period of 14 years. The launching ceremony was held at the British Council Library here on Thursday which was attended by Governor of Sindh Dr Ishrat Ul Ebad Khan, Special Assistant to Sindh CM Ms Sharmila Farooqui, British Deputy High Commissioner in Karachi, Ms Belinda Lewis, and Acting Country Director British Council, Jim Booth. Welcoming the guests to the launch, Jim Booth said that the British Council libraries in Karachi and Lahore will serve as a hub for cultural development, integration and strengthen cultural relationship between the UK and Pakistan.

The libraries complement our existing efforts to create educational opportunities, share knowledge and ideas, and cultivate an environment for creativity and learning, he added. It was pointed out that the British Council in Pakistan 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 UK and Pakistan content to readers across the country.

The Governor Sindh, Dr. Ishrat Ul Ebad Khan 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 welcomed the British Council's commitment towards creating stronger cultural ties with Pakistan through the new libraries in Karachi and Lahore.

Dr. Ishrat ul Ebad Khan said that he has no doubt that the British Council library will continue to grow in the hearts of the Karachi people and in the soul of the city. Special Assistant to CM on Culture Ms.

Sharmila Farooqui was of the view that it is just fabulous that the British Council is 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- India, Sri Lanka and Pakistan. The British Deputy High Commissioner in Karachi, Belinda Lewis, said that the new British Council library in Karachi is a really exciting resource and `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.