KARACHI: The consulate general of the United States will establish a library in Quetta for which Vice Chancellor of the University of Balochistan Dr Javeid Iqbal came down to Karachi to sign a memorandum of understanding with US consul general Brian Heath at his old residence here on Monday.

“I am delighted that the US consulate is opening a Lincoln Corner in Quetta. The location of the library is in the heart of the city where most students and people will benefit from it while also getting to know more about the Americans and their way of living,” said VC Dr Javeid Iqbal.

“The University of Balochistan is not the only higher education institution in the province. We have six to seven other universities there as well, but being 44 years old, it is the oldest in Balochistan. I feel privileged to see my university selected for the Lincoln Corner. The HEC ranks the University of Balochistan seventh among all the universities of the country and having a Lincoln Corner at our law college, adjacent to the main high court building and the general post office in Quetta, would surely uplift the education activity in entire Balochistan,” the VC said.

“Thank you for inviting us to Karachi. Now we invite you to Quetta, which is a six-hour journey by road and some 45 minutes by air. It is as dangerous a place as thought to be, by the way.”

Barrister Amanullah Achakazai, principal of the Law College, University of Balochistan, also present on the occasion, said: “Even if you need more space or facilities for the library, we will arrange for it. We already have a study library and a computer lab for online research. In addition to the books, the internet facilities available at the library would also help expose students to American culture and values.”

US Consul General Brian Heath said they had been preparing to open a Lincoln Corner in Quetta for some two years now. “It has been a long, hard road to get here today and we are honoured to be working with Dr Javeid Iqbal and Barrister Amanullah Achakazai,” he said.

“The Lincoln Centre Quetta will open doors for Pakistanis who want to learn more about America, explore study and exchange opportunities, and engage with Americans and alumni, in 2015,” he added.

“Lincoln Corners,” the consul general explained, “are a worldwide network of publicly accessible places that enable US embassies and consulates to build and strengthen relations with host countries, showcase American culture and values, promote English language learning, encourage study in the United States, and foster goodwill and understanding.

“There are more than 700 Lincoln Corners worldwide. Pakistan currently has 19 Lincoln Corners and three Information Resource Centres. The one opening in Quetta will be the 20th in Pakistan and the first one in Balochistan. In Sindh, the US mission has Lincoln Corners in Karachi, Hyderabad, Khairpur, and Larkana. Students, professors, and other members of the community can access these spaces free of charge,” he said.

Published in Dawn, September 16th, 2014