Sudden rebirth of Karachi Library Association

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

As some people say many great things happens by chance. So was the case of birth or rather rebirth of Karachi Library Association (KLA). It was during an informal conference call between four like-minded visionaries, three of them career librarians and the fourth one a library activist, when the word KLA was mentioned for the first time during the second week of August 2023. 

Muhammad Younus Hashmi, now having relocated in Canada after serving the technical library of the national flag-carrier, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), for more than four decades, floated the idea of creating a platform by the name of KLA to carry out activities to boost the community of librarians. 

Both Farheen Mahmood, Chief Librarian, Adamjee Government College, and Shama Bano, Chief Librarian, PECHS Government College, equally passionate to do something good for fellow librarians, promptly agreed to the suggestion and they tasked Syed Khalid Mahmood, having vast experience of social sector, to do spadework for the proposed KLA. That’s how it all began! The rest is history as they say. 

The goodwill and endeavours of the quartet helped in turning the dream into reality much more quickly than anticipated. Syed Munawwar Ali, Nasir Mustafa, Bushra Roohi, Prof Amir Subhani, Wajid Ali Chandio, Rehana Sadiq, Ali Asghar Dars and Farzana Zafar, eight more librarians of eminence, sharing the burning desire to make things happen, got together on the historic day of August 25 as the ‘dedicated dozen’ joined hands formally by declaring the formation of KLA with a bang. A new star was born. The date is now set to be celebrated as Foundation Day of KLA in the years to come. 

Historically there used to be an organization by the identical name of KLA, established soon after the creation of Pakistan. They contributed their bit before receding into background. Therefore, technically it could also be described as rebirth of the first-ever library body of the country. Birth or rebirth, the newly launched KLA seems to be having the energy as well as resources to bring about revolution of sorts. The founder members of new KLA possess the drive and determination to sail through rough tides in order to achieve their objectives.

KLA dignitaries recognized in Syed Khalid Mahmood’s author session at Habib Public School

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi 

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The top officials of the Karachi Library Association (KLA) were recognized by the Principal of the famed Habib Public School during the Author Session, conducted by Syed Khalid Mahmood, an eminent media personality and library activist, as a part of the International Literacy Day celebrations. 

Farheen Mahmood, President, KLA, and Shama Bano, Senior Vice President, KLA, were specially invited at the event as the guests of honour. They were also escorted to the Senior Library where they went around its various sections. 

“The library team thoroughly appreciates your efforts in reviving the reading culture in society through your activities and initiatives from the platform of the KLA,” Rubina Merchant, Head of Library Science at Habib Public School, reckoned. 

The Principal of the school, Minhas Tejani, presented mementoes to both the guests of honour as well as to the man of the moment, author Syed Khalid Mahmood, who also happens to be the Advisor to KLA. 

The author session on the subject of ‘explore the world of sports through books’ turned out to be an extremely lively event as a large number of students from Class VI to VIII participated actively in it and showed a lot of inclination towards creative activities. The participants displayed hunger for reading and listening to stories of outstanding athletes besides other high-achievers.

KLA delegation attends digital library inauguration at Nusrat Bhutto College

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Other than participation of a delegation of the Karachi Library Association (KLA), the inauguration ceremony of digital library at Nusrat Bhutto Degree College in Lyari, Karachi, on September 19 turned out to be a lackluster affair. 

The Director General of Colleges, Government of Sindh, Prof Shadab Hussain, who was the designated chief guest, didn’t turn up for the event The Regional Director of Colleges, Prof Suleman Sayal, in his presidential address spoke about various challenges being faced by his department without even touching the subject of digitalization of libraries. 

The Principal of Nusrat Bhutto Degree College, Prof Muhammad Rauf, also didn’t deem it proper to share details of the digital library which was being inaugurated which looked quite strange to the participants of ceremony, which featured heads of various other colleges of the area. 

The college librarian, Abdul Wajid Chandio, who also happens to be the Joint Secretary of KLA, conducted the proceedings in an impressive manner but it were the majority of the speakers who didn’t deem it proper to talk about the subject of the day which was digitalization of library. 

The KLA President, Farheen Mahmood, was the only speaker to briefly touch the subject. The KLA Advisor, Syed Khalid Mahmood, was also present on the occasion.

KLA President believes in letting work do all talking

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Unlike the majority of her contemporaries, the Founder President of Karachi Library Association (KLA), Farheen Mahmood, firmly believes in letting the work do all the talking instead of making noise simply by engaging into publicity stunts.

“The media coverage of events is obviously vital which has to be earned but setting high standards. The best way to stay in the news is to keep performing at the stage. From the platform of KLA we plan to be doing lots of things to boost the image of the librarians as well as serve the cause of general public,” the soft-spoken seasoned library professional remarked in a brief chat with PNFS on September 13. 

Currently working as Chief Librarian at the iconic Adamjee Government College, after having served as Principal of the Government Degree College for Women Sector 11-I North Karachi, where she had set a new trend by organizing a fun-filled and action-packed Library Day in February 2022, Farheen foresees a bright future for KLA. 

“The KLA founding members are committed to the profession and all of them also care for the society. We feel blessed to have gathered such a strong team which has already started making vibes due to its sincere efforts and regular activities,” she pointed out.

“The KLA will be sustaining this momentum as all the founding members are on board to drive the Association with their constant participation. It’s really fulfilling for me to be leading a well-knit team of such dedicated professionals all of whom are raring to go,” Farheen concluded.

KLA, RCKD support in setting up first-ever library at government school of Karachi

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Karachi Library Association (KLA) and the Rotary Club of Karachi Darakhshan (RCKD) extended support in setting up the first-ever library at a government school of Karachi and the dream came true with the inauguration of a library at Rabia Basri Girls Secondary School, housed in Block 17 of Federal-B-Area, on September 12. 

The KLA Founder President, Farheen Mahmood, accompanied by Syed Khalid Mahmood (Advisor), Ali Asghar Dars (Joint Secretary) and Professor Amir Subhani, attended the simple but graceful ceremony in which the large number of donated books were also displayed. 

The KLA functionaries expressed their delight at the enthusiasm of the school management and advised them to retain the intensity. 

On behalf of RCKD, its President, Farzana Moghul, Charter President, Jahangir Moghul, and Immediate Past President, Awais Moghul, congratulated the school management as well as the officers of the District Municipal Corporation (DMC), Karachi Central, for initiating the library project and they hoped that other government schools will also plan establishing libraries at their campuses to facilitate students and teachers more effectively. 

Both the organizations, KLA and RCKD, have donated a substantial number of books to help Rabia Basri School build a useful collection of different genres from the outset. The high quality of books, which included dictionaries, was thoroughly appreciated by the students as well as the teachers. 

The officials of KLA and RCKD, after attending the inauguration ceremony at the school library, also visited different classrooms where they strongly urged the students to make the best use of the books by reading them and also reviewing them in order to improve their scholastic abilities.

The inauguration ceremony of library at Rabia Basri School was also attended by the government officers, both serving and retired. They appreciated the spirit of KLA and RCKD in extending support to the school in setting up a library. They did not mince words in stating that lot was needed to be done for the society and the task could only be accomplished with all stakeholders remained on board. 

KLA’s efforts to revive public libraries get instant results

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi 

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The efforts for the revival of public libraries by the Karachi Library Association (KLA) have brought immediate success as Colonel Sher Khan Library, situated in Block 10 of Federal-B-Area, which was locked for ages, has now been reopened in a matter of just a couple of weeks. 

Accompanied by the officers of the District Municipal Corporation (DMC), Karachi Central, a delegation of the KLA, headed by its President, Farheen Mahmood, and also including its Advisor, Syed Khalid Mahmood, had visited the premises of Colonel Sher Khan Library for the first time on August 29. 

They could not enter the library hall because its keys were unavailable and the surrounding area was in complete disarray because the facility had stayed locked for the last many years. 

Following a series of meetings between the KLA office-bearers and the government officials as well as the elected representatives during the last two weeks, ways and means were discussed at length to revive Colonel Sher Khan Library besides taking remedial actions. 

The seriousness of all stakeholders brought about immediate rewards and the library itself hosted a meeting of the stakeholders on September 12, which was nothing short of a miracle. It augurs well for the area people as they had been demanding for its restoration for quite some time. 

The KLA leadership in particular deserves praise for having taken up the issue with the concerned authorities and also following it up with them on a regular basis to achieve the goal of reviving public libraries in Karachi.

Sitara-e-Imtiaz conferred upon Aziz Memon

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi 

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The iconic figure of Aziz Memon, in recognition for his overwhelming contributions towards the cause of humanity, was conferred upon the prestigious Sitara-e-Imtiaz, one of the highest civilian awards, by the Government of Pakistan on the 76th Independence Day. Quite fittingly, he was recognized in the category of Public Service (Humanitarian & Community Services). Earlier he was presented President of Pakistan's Pride of Performance Award in 2011.  

It’s yet another feather of Aziz Memon, whose accomplishments in the social sector are deemed to be second to none in the country. His role in the eradication of polio over the years in particular has been extraordinary. He has achieved numerous firsts in a distinguished career to be acknowledged as a legend in his lifetime. The most recent attainment of his is the Karachi Festival of Books and Libraries, (KFBL) which he has founded and its inaugural edition is scheduled to be held later this year. 

Aziz Memon is a successful entrepreneur being the Chairman of Kings Group of Companies, whose core interest is in textiles. He was elected as Trustee of the Rotary Foundation for a period of four years in 2020, becoming the first Pakistani to acquire this position. 

He created another history in 2022 when he was elected as the President of the International Council of English Speaking Union (ESU) for the term 2022-2024 during its held at Karachi. He is the first Pakistani to be elected to this coveted slot. He had been the President of the English Speaking Union of Pakistan (ESUP) before becoming its Patron-in-Chief. 

Hailed as one of the most distinguished decorations to the civilians, the Sitara-e-Imtiaz recognizes individuals having made meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of Pakistan, world peace, cultural or other significant public endeavours. It is a highly restricted and prestigious award presented to those having done great services to the country. It is awarded to salute outstanding contribution in their respected fields such as literature, arts, sports, science and public service which prompted the recognition of the country on international level.