On the occasion of the 144th birthday of Quaid-e-Azam Mohamad Ali Jinnah, Pakistan’s first-ever street library was inaugurated at Karachi.
At the orders of Commissioner Karachi, Iftikhar Shallwani, district administration set up a street library at the Commissioner’s Corner at Metropole near Quaid-e-Azam House in Karachi.
Here’s what it looks like:
Inaugural Ceremony
Chief Secretary Sindh, Syed Mumtaz Ali Shah, inaugurated the street library. The inaugural ceremony was attended by senior officials, civil society members, political activists, literary figures.
Inauguration Ceremony of First Street Library of Pakistan at Karachi Metropole pic.twitter.com/NKF2jManHC
— Commissioner Karachi (@CommissionerKhi) December 26, 2019
While addressing the ceremony, Syed Mumtaz Ali Shah lauded the initiative of Karachi’s district administration. The library will reinvigorate the culture of reading in Pakistan. Shah suggested that similar initiatives should be launched in other cities in the province.
Members of civil society have appreciated the move and urged citizens to come and visit the street library.
Reading is essential for those who seek to rise above the ordinary. It was an honour to be invited to the @CommissionerKhi Corner Street Library. It is great to note the interest of our people in literary activities. Such gestures much be appreciated. Good job admins. pic.twitter.com/bnGVx4Jovz
— Dr. Shaista Lodhi (@IamShaistaLodhi) December 25, 2019
Children’s Literature Festival, a social movement striving to expand the culture of reading across Pakistan, also donated books for the street-side library.
CLF contributed books to the first ever street library of Pakistan launched by @CommissionerKhi
A great initiative indeed. Hope to see many more such libraries in Pakistan!#StreetLibrary #Karachi #CLF #books @Shallwani pic.twitter.com/MdbGkygVpI— Pakistan Learning Festival (@plf_pk) December 24, 2019
The library has around 600 books initially that are available to read for free. Anyone waiting for a ride on the roadside at the Metropole or passing by should consider visiting the street library, said Commissioner Karachi.
Via: Express Tribune