The National Book Foundation (NBF) and the Punjab Library Foundation (PLF) have announced a new partnership to jointly promote reading and literary activities throughout Punjab. Leaders from both organizations met in Lahore to discuss ways to expand access to books and develop sustainable initiatives that foster a love of reading in both urban and rural communities.
During the meeting, NBF Managing Director Kamran Jahangir highlighted the foundation’s commitment to making books available and affordable across Pakistan. He stressed the critical role libraries play in spreading knowledge and noted that collaborative efforts between the public and private sectors can help bring reading opportunities to underserved communities.
PLF Director Rehman Asif welcomed the NBF team and shared details of the foundation’s current programs and outreach strategies. He explained how provincial libraries are supporting national literacy objectives by providing community spaces, organizing educational events, and encouraging reading among children and adults.
NBF Secretary Murad Ali Mohmand and Zaheer, who heads the foundation’s Lahore office, also participated in the discussions. They expressed support for collaborative projects such as joint training workshops for librarians, mobile library services, and public reading festivals designed to encourage greater participation across diverse groups.
The two organizations agreed that closer coordination and sharing of resources will increase their impact, making it possible to reach a wider audience and cultivate a stronger culture of reading. By working together, the NBF and PLF aim to nurture lifelong reading habits and contribute to the development of a more informed and engaged society.
