Govt to establish libraries to promote book reading

ISLAMABAD: The Balochistan government will establish libraries in Quetta and other parts of the province to encourage the book reading habit among the people, especially youth.

The government has allocated Rs150 million to set up two libraries at the Quetta International Airport and Spinny Road. Talking to APP, an official of the Balochistan government said three libraries were also established in Satellite Town and Saryab Road last year which will be open to public next month.

“The project of Rs60 million has also been initiated for the renovation and expansion of libraries across the province to also help increase literacy,” the official said. He added that libraries are nurseries that produce leaders, writers, scholars, philosophers and teachers who serve the nation.

Highlighting the importance of books, he said, libraries will not only encourage book reading culture among youth but will also prove beneficial in their capacity building. He said the students will be able to compete with their counterparts from other provinces in education if they turn to reading. “With the establishment of theses libraries, Quetta will have a total of five public libraries,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 5^th, 2020.