Balochistan CM Inaugurates “Zahoor Shah Hashmi Digital Library” in Gwadar, Paving the Way for Educational Advancement

Gwadar:Balochistan’s Chief Minister, **Mir Sarfraz Bugti**, has announced that the journey of promoting education and knowledge in the province has entered a new, practical, and result-oriented phase. The inauguration of the **”Zahoor Shah Hashmi Digital Library”** in Gwadar marks a significant milestone, serving as a foundation for intellectual growth, scientific awareness, and collective development—key pillars for a brighter future for Balochistan. The CM expressed these views while addressing the opening ceremony of the library on Wednesday.

In attendance were **Member of Provincial Assembly Maulana Hidayat-ur-Rehman**, **Chief Secretary of Balochistan Shakil Qadir Khan**, and other senior officials.

### Key Highlights:

* **A Landmark Educational Initiative:** The Chief Minister described the launch of the **Zahoor Shah Hashmi Digital Library** as a historic moment for Gwadar, a key district in Balochistan. This state-of-the-art library is regarded as one of the highest standard libraries in Pakistan, fully funded through the donations of philanthropists. The library stands as a testament to the power of community, civil society, and district administration when they unite with a common goal.

* **Government’s Commitment to Education:** Chief Minister Bugti emphasized that Balochistan’s government firmly believes in the provision of equal educational opportunities, good governance, and the creation of developmental opportunities for youth. He announced the **Benazir Bhutto Scholarship Program**, the first of its kind in the province, offering full government-funded scholarships for the top 10 male and 10 female students from each district who perform exceptionally well in matriculation exams.

* **Ph.D. Scholarships:** The provincial government is also offering **Ph.D. scholarships** on merit, enabling Balochistan’s youth to pursue doctoral studies in the sciences at the top 200 universities worldwide.

* **Education and Health Reforms:** The Chief Minister noted that for the first time, **merit-based recruitments** had been made in the health and education sectors, ensuring that youth receive their rightful opportunities. Over 3,200 previously closed schools have been reopened, and medical centers in the province are now staffed with doctors for the first time since the creation of Pakistan.

* **Focus on Gwadar’s Development:** CM Bugti reiterated that **Gwadar** holds a special place in the government’s agenda, not only for the province but for the entire country’s economic growth. He expressed pride in the **youth of Gwadar** who have succeeded in challenging competitive exams like CSS and PCS, elevating Balochistan’s stature.

* **Youth Empowerment:** Addressing the youth, CM Bugti urged them to choose paths of education, skills development, peace, and progress, warning against the influence of misguided elements pushing for extremism and violence. He assured that the government will always stand by those choosing the path of knowledge, awareness, and peace.

### The Library’s Features:

* The **Zahoor Shah Hashmi Digital Library** was built with the leadership and dedication of **Deputy Commissioner Gwadar Hamood Ur Rehman**, in collaboration with various philanthropists and organizations. The project cost approximately **Rs 60 million** and boasts a collection of over **300,000 digitalized books**, in addition to thousands of printed books available for reading.

* The library is equipped with dedicated halls for **women, children, senior citizens**, and **students preparing for competitive exams**. The building is fully **air-conditioned** and powered by a **solar system**, ensuring a 24-hour electricity supply.

* **Named Halls:** The halls in the library are named after important national figures, including CM Mir Sarfraz Bugti, his father **Mir Ghulam Qadir Bugti**, and **Chief Secretary Shakil Qadir Khan**.

* **Student Support:** The Chief Minister also announced that students from Gwadar will be provided with **laptops** and books to help them prepare for competitive exams.

### Future Vision:

The Chief Minister and other speakers at the event commended the efforts of **Deputy Commissioner Hamood Ur Rehman** and his team for establishing this state-of-the-art library. They expressed their commitment to replicating this model in other districts across Balochistan, with the aim of promoting a culture of reading, research, and education throughout the province.

This initiative is seen as a pivotal step in transforming Balochistan’s educational landscape, offering the province’s youth the tools and resources needed to thrive in the modern world.