Pakistani expats in Riyadh organized a function to felicitate library science researcher Mohammad Reyaz Chaudhary recently.

The function was organized to honor Chaudhary for his educational services toward the community in the Kingdom.

Khayyam Akbar, charge d’affaires at the Pakistan Embassy in Riyadh, underlined the importance of libraries in public life and congratulated Chaudhary for his exemplary services in library administration in Pakistan and the Kingdom, which he said makes the community very proud.

“Libraries have played a significant role in our success and are considered essential for developing an educated society through programs which improve literacy and information including lifelong learning opportunities. Therefore, it is imperative to appreciate the work done by Chaudhary,” said Akbar.

He observed that Chaudhary had offered his assistance on numerous occasions and urged the community members to come forward and help the embassy in finding solutions for school-related concerns like non-availability of seats and other needs.

Akbar also urged the community to come forward and donate handsomely to assist the flood-affected people in Pakistan, for which the embassy has organized a program at the embassy premises in the Diplomatic Quarter on Friday.

He also presented a memento to Chaudhary for his rare services.

Chaudhary, who is working as a natural/services information specialist with King Fahd National Library, Riyadh, thanked the community for their respect and affection. “The little I have done was my duty toward the Pakistani community in the Kingdom,” he said.

Speaking about his passion for libraries and learning, he said that he had discontinued his formal education after the death of his father and begun working to support his family. However, as he was ambitious to earn a doctorate, he embarked on his Ph.D. degree in Library Science when he became financially stable and worked in various capacities in library administration.

Riyadh-based Pakistani poet Javed Akhtar Javed, who was guest of honor, asserted the fact that public libraries play an important role in the development and maintenance of a sound society by giving individuals access to a wide and varied range of information, ideas, opinions, and skills.