Virtual Book Network Brings Knowledge to Girls Across Balochistan

Often associated with deprivation and underdevelopment, Pakistan’s province of Balochistan is now emerging as a symbol of hope, thanks to the determination of its youth. One such example is Mahmood Azam Kakar from Khanuzai, who, along with his friends, has built a virtual book sharing network that reaches girls in 43 areas of the province.

A Sister’s Remark Sparked the Idea (Virtual Book Network)

Mahmood Azam Kakar, an avid reader, recalls that the idea originated four years ago when his sister said to him You people are lucky — you can move around freely and easily access books and a reading environment. Her words made him realize that if his own sister felt such a gap despite having access to facilities, girls in other parts of Balochistan must face even greater challenges.

Inspired by the Camel Library Model

Taking inspiration from the “Camel Library” project in Khuzdar, Kakar decided to create a system that could deliver books to girls’ homes. Through his existing educational initiative, Education Scholars Connect, he launched a Book Donation Campaign in 2020. Students from various universities across Pakistan donated books to the cause.

WhatsApp Groups Turned into Libraries

Kakar and his team later formed WhatsApp groups for different districts of Balochistan. Each group is managed by a female student administrator, representing her area. Members of these groups share lists of available books. When a student needs a particular book, she posts a message in the group, and others help her access it through local sharing.

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A Unique Model of  Sharing 

The entire system operates on a peer-to-peer sharing model. Girls from the same area or educational institution exchange books directly, while in distant regions, volunteers from Education Scholars Connect help deliver them. Each group administrator keeps a record of the books, which are returned or passed on to others after the reading period.

Sharing Books Spreads Knowledge

Sabina, a student of English literature from Muslim Bagh, says the network has been a blessing for girls like her. “I donated some of my own books and benefited from others. This virtual library is a great help for students in remote areas,she said. Similarly, Asmarah from Pishin, who is pursuing online education, shared: Amid high fees and a lack of facilities, this platform gives us hope. It’s easier to get books now, and sharing them with others brings real joy.

Internet Disruptions: A Major Challenge

Since the network relies entirely on the internet, frequent outages in Balochistan often disrupt communication. Kakar explained that during recent internet suspensions, book exchanges were delayed for weeks in some areas.

Plans for a Physical Library in Barkhan

The team is now planning to establish a physical library in Barkhan. They have secured a building but still need donations and support to furnish and operate it.