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Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
A fond farewell: Honoring the people, partnerships, and flavours of Punjab
As my two-year term as US Consul General in Lahore comes to a close, my colleagues and friends are often asking me: "What will you miss most about Pakistan?" The answer is simple: the people and the food! I've been fortunate to travel and work all across Punjab Province — from Attock to Rahim Yar Khan — spending quality time in more than 20 districts. Everywhere I've gone, I've been greeted by such warm Pakistani hospitality, and I've had the opportunity to meet so many inspiring individuals who are working to build stronger ties between the United States and Pakistan, which benefit both of our countries' prosperity and security. For example, I've seen how US businesses across Punjab Province are creating high-quality jobs for thousands of Pakistani men and women, while also driving local innovation in sectors ranging from agriculture to IT. I've heard from Pakistani businesspeople about how they are turninghigh-quality US cotton imports into beautifulPakistani textiles — strengthening both the American and Pakistani economies. I've met hundreds of students who are working hard in US-supported English-language programs, recognizing that stronger English language skills will open doors to new economic possibilities for themselves and their communities. One of the major highlights of my time as Consul General was preparing for the December 2024 opening of the new US-supported "Lincoln Corner" at the historic Quaid-e-Azam Library in Lahore — as well as engaging with Pakistani students at other Lincoln Corners spread across the province. These locations offer opportunities for Pakistanis to check out the latest U.S. technology, explore study-abroad opportunities in the United States' world-class universities, and to help Americans and Pakistanis connect with one another. If you haven't attended a program at your nearby Lincoln Corner yet, I highly encourage it! In Lahore, I also always have appreciated the opportunity to drop by the iconic Lahore Fort to see the latest progress on our ongoing cultural preservation project to restore seven of the Fort's structures for future generations to enjoy. Of course, I've loved sampling unique local dishes all across Punjab Province, from chirayin Gujranwala, to payye in Lahore, to sohan halwa in Multan. And I'll especially miss Pakistan's fruits — including, of course, the kinnow, which is a sweet reminder and symbol of the longstanding US-Pakistan collaboration in agriculture. While I'm sad to depart Pakistan, I look forward to returning sometime in the future. My tenure as Consul General marks my third time working in Pakistan, and I hope not my final time living in this beautiful country! I also leave confident that the US-Pakistan partnership in Punjab Province and beyond willcontinue to grow. Thousands of Pakistani alumni of US exchange programs are playing a vital role in introducing the skills and knowledge from their US programs into their local communities. Thank you, Punjab Province, for the very warm welcome that you gave me, and that I know you will give to my successor. The writer is the consul general of the USA in Lahore
Express Tribune
09-02-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Libraries fail to promote literary engagement
It is said that libraries and their collections of books anchor a nation to their past and connect them to their future. After all, reflecting on yesterday's mistakes is the only way to prepare for the uncertainty that tomorrow brings. Yet despite the critical need for Pakistan's ailing social fabric and economy to ponder over the course of its history and pave the way for a better tomorrow, neither knowledge production nor libraries have been given much attention by the government. According to sources of the Express Tribune, out of 41 districts in Punjab, just 11 libraries are scattered across seven districts including Lahore, Sheikhupura, Okara, Sahiwal, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh and Bahawalpur alongside 100 e-libraries. Around 50,000 people visit these 11 libraries across Punjab on a daily basis, of which 40 percent read newspapers, 20 percent seek literary reference, 15 percent come for exam preparation, 15 per cent hope to read books while 10 percent come for free internet. Similarly, 1,000 people visit the largest, Quaid-e-Azam Library in Lahore every day. One such visitor was Hassan Jamil, who has been a member of the Quaid-e-Azam Library since the past 15 years but visits the library only occasionally. 'I have a passion for reading books. However, in recent times, I have observed that the culture of reading books at libraries has died out. Usually, people come to the library only for reference books or for their CSS or PMS preparation. Therefore, the government needs to allocate a separate corner in the library for research,' assessed Jamil. Likewise, Ghulam Haider, another visitor, claimed that there were very few chairs for the members or visitors to sit. 'Usually, people who come to the library are only attracted by the free Wi-Fi facility for the members. In order to improve the literary environment, there is a need to promote digitalization in the library,' opined Haider. Concurring with Haider, Salman Abid, a public policy advisor and educationist, also felt that digital libraries were the need of the hour. 'When we talk about digital libraries, we refer to the provision of all modern technological facilities that allow people to access reading material online and connect with the world. Unfortunately, looking at the budget for education, it is safe to say that education has rarely been a priority for the rulers in Pakistan,' claimed Abid. Abid further opined that despite the presence of municipal committees, libraries across the province were in a state of neglect. 'Either there are no libraries or the ones that are available are functioning without an adequate budget. Given the measly budget allocation, new books and facilities are not provided since the entire budget is used to pay off salaries to employees,' noted Abid. On the other hand, Director General Punjab Public Libraries Kashif Manzoor claimed that the Punjab government was building new libraries in Lahore and Narang Mandi Sheikhupura, while Lahore's Model Town Library was also being upgraded. 'At present there are more than 450,000 books in 11 libraries, which are increased by 30 per cent every year, while the budget for these books is kept at 10 per cent of the total budget. Two new halls are being built at the Quaid-e-Azam Library where there will be separate arrangements for men and women. The budget of nine libraries under the S&GAD department is Rs200 to 250 million per year. Work is also underway on an e-library project. With the cooperation of the Walled City of Lahore, the two libraries of Lahore, Quaid-e-Azam and Punjab Public Library will soon be connected,' said Manzoor.
