March 6, 2024
Neglected treasure: The fate of the National Library of Pakistan
By Abid Hussain
The writer is Deputy Director Library at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad, he can be
reached at writetoabidhussain@gmail.com
https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2024/03/05/neglected-treasure-the-fate-of-the-national-libraryof-pakistan/
According to the World Meter Report, there are a total of 193 countries in the world that are
members of the United Nations, and two states like the Holy See and the state of Palestine which
are not yet included in the countries list and are known as non-member observer states. Almost all
countries have their national library. The largest national library in the world is the Library of
Congress which is located in Washington D.C. in the USA. The LOC is popular for its huge
collections and infrastructural size. The British Library in the United Kingdom is the second-largest
library in the world after the LOC which houses an extensive collection of books, manuscripts,
journals, newspapers, maps, and other items. The third largest national library is regarded as the
national library of China which is located in Beijing and is also known as the largest library in Asia.
The National Library of China has housed a vast collection of Chinese and foreign materials.
Similarly, the Russian State Library in Moscow, Bibliothèque Nationale de France (the National
Library of France), and the National Diet Library Japan based in Tokyo are a few examples of
national libraries in different countries.
The National Library of Pakistan exudes its own charm while preserving the cultural heritage of the
country. Over the years, the library has made significant progress and expanded rapidly. When
Pakistan came into being in 1947, there was no proper national library. After the creation of
Pakistan the Liaqat Memorial Library of Karachi was declared as the first national library of
Pakistan in 1951. Other burning issues of the national library are the lack of new collections, and
technological infrastructure which require concerted effort from various stakeholders like
government authorities, library administrations, and other ministries. The National Library of
Pakistan could enhance its morale and fulfil its mission more effectively if the government of
Pakistan streamlined these burning issues.
Karachi was the first capital of Pakistan. After 20 years, President Ayub Khan declared Islamabad as
the new capital of Pakistan on 14 August 1967. The national Library of Pakistan was moved to
Islamabad in 1988 as most of the civil works were finished in June 1988. The caretaker Prime
Minister Moinud Din Ahmad Qureshi inaugurated the library on 24 August 1993, and its doors were
opened to the public. The library is currently adjacent to the Prime Minister’s House. The library
offers a huge collection of books, newspapers, and serials. The national library encompasses a huge
collection of rare books. The library contributes valuable knowledge and preserves national records.
The prime purpose of the National Library is to preserve cultural heritage, foster research and
scholarship, and provide access to extensive information to both public and academic communities.
The National Library of Pakistan was established to preserve the national repository of Pakistan.
The library assigned ISBNs to books in the country and prepared a national bibliography of
Pakistan. The library also releases rates for purchasing international publications. The library strives
to enhance its infrastructure, collections, and services to make it the most prominent library in the
nation. The library halls show that the people in the surrounding areas are taking advantage. Most of
the members are aspirants of CSS and other competitive examinations. The emerging technologies
have brought tremendous revolutions in all sectors of our societies. The National Library of
Pakistan is continuously struggling to integrate modern technology to provide access to online
records and preserve valuable resources of the country in digital formats. The library has digitized
its public records and put them online in the Public Catalogue. The automation and online access
catalogue were early initiatives of this library and are functioning successfully. The library plays an
important role in community engagement through its outreach programme, exhibitions, workshops,
and other initiatives aimed at promoting literacy and lifelong learning and its intellectual discourse.
Contrary to the national libraries of developed countries, libraries in developing countries like
Pakistan are facing numerous challenges like limited funding. Lack of government support,
infrastructural issues, lack of professional staff, digital divide, cultural and social factors, strategic
management and governance and so on. As a mirror of the country, the National Library of
Pakistan is facing a few burning issues that need proper attention from the government side. The
library is endeavoring to do more with fewer resources. However, still, the National Library of
Pakistan still seems to be helpless and shows weak stances contrary to other public departments.
One of the most burning issues of the National Library is the road leading to it.
The road is dilapidated and make it seem there is nothing ahead. Countries with advanced
infrastructure library buildings resemble the progress of the National Library. The government of
Pakistan and stakeholders of CDA should take necessary action. Other burning issues of the
national library are the lack of new collections, and technological infrastructure which require
concerted effort from various stakeholders like government authorities, library administrations, and
other ministries. The National Library of Pakistan could enhance its morale and fulfill its mission
more effectively if the government of Pakistan streamlined these burning issues.