News - Pakistan, Islamabad, Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria

On 6 May 2026, Ambassador Irena Gancheva, together with the Minister of State for Law and Justice of Pakistan, Barrister Aqeel Malik, participated as a guest of honor in the inauguration of a community children’s library and an accompanying tree plantation initiative at F-9 Park in Islamabad. The event was organized by the DICE Forum (Diplomacy - Inclusivity - Climate - Education) in support of promoting literacy, reading, and education in Pakistan, as well as with the aim of strengthening cooperation in addressing climate change, environmental protection, and the advancement of sustainable development.

The program also included a visit to the Thalassemia Center of Sundus Foundation. Thalassemia is a serious health issue in Pakistan, rooted primarily in the tradition of inter-family marriages. In addition to providing treatment for patients with severe forms of the disease, Sundus Foundation works to raise awareness of the risks associated with thalassemia, promote prevention, and advocate for legislative changes in Pakistan to address this problem.

In her remarks at the event, Ambassador Irena Gancheva highlighted the importance of the initiative, dedicated to the power of knowledge, the value of compassion, and the urgent need to care both for people in need and the environment, while expressing appreciation to the team of the DICE Forum for their inspiring efforts. In connection with the opening of the community children’s library, she emphasized that books and reading enlighten minds and lay the foundations for progress and understanding in every society. In Pakistan - a country with a predominantly young population, where more than 20 million children are still out of school, the implementation of such projects is a highly meaningful endeavor for strengthening knowledge, critical thinking, and personal development. The Ambassador further noted that the importance of libraries is even greater in today’s world, where information is instantly accessible through advanced technologies and artificial intelligence; however, it is essential to remember that books remain an irreplaceable source of in-depth and comprehensive knowledge. In this context, it was underscored that the project strongly resonates with Bulgaria as a country that honors and officially celebrates its alphabet and culture, as well as its educators and enlighteners, who have contributed to preserving Bulgarian identity and spirit over the centuries.

Ambassador Gancheva further stated that the pursuit of knowledge naturally extends to our responsibility for human well-being - through care for both health and the environment. Planting a tree is a small but meaningful step - a gesture toward nature that can lead to lasting positive change in the future.

The event was attended by representatives of the diplomatic corps in Islamabad, as well as by members of Pakistan’s governmental and non-governmental sectors.