In 2018, the youth of Lore Karez, Sariab, Quetta transformed a non-functional hospital building into a vibrant community library. The hospital, established in 2013 by the local MPA, had remained unused due to its inaccessible location and unfavourable feasibility reports from medical experts. Recognising the need for a space dedicated to learning and growth, the local youth took it upon themselves to create a library, dedicating their time and effort without any financial support or resources.
Their hardwork paid off, and within a short span of time, the library gained widespread recognition. Today, it boasts over 1,500 registered members and more than 8,000 books on a wide range of subjects and genres. On a daily basis, 50 members, including women, visit the library to study and learn. The library also offers free English language classes and tutoring sessions for school-going children. The library has become a beacon of hope and progress in the underprivileged area of Sariab, Quetta. It has fostered a culture of reading and provided a safe space for youth, including women, to engage in constructive activities.
However, the future of this invaluable institution is now under threat. Despite the earlier feasibility reports that deemed the hospital building unsuitable for medical use, the government has decided to operationalise the hospital. The district administration has issued a notice to vacate the library within seven days, leaving the community in distress. We urge the civil society, activists, and individuals from all walks of life to raise their voices in support of this library. We appeal to the government to provide an alternative space for the library, which has proven to be a vital resource for the youth and a powerful tool against societal ills.
Naveed Anjum
Quetta
