National Library of Pakistan : Review by Shahzad Bashir Author 2025

National Library of Pakistan (Islamabad): An Exceptionally Efficient Institution

Review by Shahzad Bashir – Author/Publisher – Maktaba Kitab Dost (Karachi)

An institution that never fails to amaze. If I were to ask you to name a civil government institution where service is treated as a sacred duty, delivered with utmost professionalism, by an active and attentive staff who seem to be eagerly waiting just for you, you might respond that such institutions no longer exist. Frustration, long waits, inefficiency, and delays have become the norm in most places.

However, as a publisher, since I registered Maktaba Kitab Dost with the National Library of Pakistan in 2021, my experience has been nothing short of delightful. Every time I needed to obtain ISBN numbers for my novels, I have been met with exemplary service. Whenever I contacted the National Library, I felt as if they had been waiting just for my call.

The phone is answered promptly, the purpose of the call is immediately understood, and guidance is offered without delay. They ask if you are a new publisher or have already registered as an agency. Not once have I encountered excuses like “We didn’t receive your list of novels,” “It got misplaced,” “We haven’t reviewed it yet,” or “The numbers haven’t been allocated yet.” There’s never a response like “Call back tomorrow.”

Conversations are conducted professionally, and solutions are provided swiftly. Even today, when I contacted them for ISBN numbers for nearly 20 novels, I was informed that the numbers had already been sent out yesterday. However, I was assured that if it was urgent, they could provide the required numbers immediately. I only needed the number for one novel Sazish Ka Qatal urgently, which is going to be published, while the rest could wait until tomorrow or Monday.

In today’s Pakistan, among the institutions one may need to deal with, the National Library of Pakistan stands out as number one in terms of service and especially customer care. Although readers may not typically interact with this institution, Islamabad residents can visit to benefit from its vast collection of books. I am confident that they too would agree that this institution is the best of its kind.