KARACHI (April 29, 2026) — Kitab Ghar, a prominent citizen-run free public library and community space in PECHS, has announced it will shut down on May 31 after 18 months of operation. The management cited rapid gentrification and rising rents in the area as the primary reasons for the closure. Serving as a rare inclusive venue for art, politics, and study, the library has launched a Rs500,000 fundraiser to help secure a new location and continue its mission elsewhere in the city.
Quick Facts
- Kitab Ghar will officially close its current PECHS location on May 31, 2026.
- The closure is driven by an unaffordable increase in rent due to neighborhood gentrification.
- A fundraiser has been established with a target of Rs500,000 to facilitate relocation.
- The space operated as a free library and study area, funded primarily by monthly patron pledges.
- Over the last year and a half, it hosted numerous workshops, art gigs, and community congregations.
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A Struggle for Space
The management expressed deep regret over the forced shutdown, emphasizing the importance of community-owned spaces in a city like Karachi. The library team stated that the space was created to allow citizens to “make art,” “congregate,” and “be political.”
While the current venue is closing, the team is committed to finding a new spot once sufficient funds are raised through their community-led donation drive. Under the slogan “We exist because you do,” the library is urging its “comrades and patrons” to donate to ensure the survival of its mission.
The closure marks a significant setback for Karachi’s independent cultural scene, highlighting the growing pressure that rising real estate costs are placing on non-commercial community initiatives.
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