About Us

In 2023, Claire Stephens arrived in Pakistan, traveling by road from Karachi with no set destination. By chance, she found herself in Booni, Upper Chitral, where she stayed at the guesthouse of Anwar Khan—an accomplished polo player and the village chairman. As Anwar introduced her to local homes and schools, she was struck by the Chitrali people’s progressive spirit and the immense challenges they faced. One evening, while talking on the rooftop, they asked themselves: What could they do together to create lasting change? The idea of a library took shape. Claire had always dreamed of something like this but never imagined she’d have the means to make it happen—until the next day, when a contractor gave them a quote she couldn’t turn down. With a perfect piece of land from Anwar’s family, tucked just off the bazaar, they decided to make it happen.

At first, they envisioned a two-story library filled with books, featuring a mezzanine-style interior and a small café at the entrance—because in Chitral, no gathering is complete without chai. Claire, with her strong background in theatre, imagined cultural events where people wouldn’t just sit in chairs but gather throughout the space—on the stairs, the mezzanine, looking down at the speaker in an intimate, immersive setting. But as they spoke with more locals, they uncovered a deeper truth. While many people would love to read, others couldn’t, and some wouldn’t fully benefit from a library centered only around books. Beyond traditional literacy, the community faced another challenge—a lack of digital literacy. Without computer skills, many were missing out on job opportunities and the vast educational resources available online. If the library was to truly serve Chitral, it needed to be more than books—it had to be a space for learning in all forms.

With this realization, the vision naturally expanded. Anwar and Claire decided to add a third floor—an open, flexible space with panoramic views of the Qaqlasht Plateau and the Hindu Kush, surrounded by fruit trees. It would host larger events, health clinics, talks, and workshops—or simply offer a cozy spot by the fire to read. This freed up space on the second floor for a computer lab with learning platforms, including programs for non-readers. They also launched an audio-visual archive to preserve Chitral’s diverse voices and wisdom, accessible on secure tablets. The library was no longer just a place for books; it had evolved into a hub for skill-building, culture, and connection. From the start, Claire and Anwar felt like vessels for something larger, as if the library were shaping itself into a space for everyone in Chitral.

But their ambitions didn’t stop there. Instead of simply helping Chitral catch up to the developed world, they wanted to give its people a competitive edge. That meant using AI not just to access books but to enhance learning and create real-world opportunities. This vision led to the Chitral Rising app—a dynamic learning ecosystem where patrons could search for topics like a traditional library catalog, but AI would go further, designing personalized courses based on the skills they wanted to develop. The app would pull resources from the library, the broader community, and the cultural preservation project, connecting users to practical learning and partnership opportunities. The library was just the beginning—a cornerstone of a greater ecosystem that could one day connect all of Chitral and perhaps grow into a network of libraries across the region.

As the library took shape, support grew beyond Claire and Anwar’s own means and small donors. Word spread quickly, catching the attention of local and national media. Soon, they were invited to speak on five national morning shows, bringing their vision to an even wider audience. This visibility attracted major foundations, including the Aga Khan Foundation, whose Pakistan division CEO personally invited them to Islamabad to discuss the project. Offers of land from other Chitrali villages followed, eager to host libraries of their own. It became clear that to expand and truly serve the people, they needed more than a single library—they needed an organization. And so, Chitral Rising was born.

Yet Chitral Rising was built on more than a library or its founders’ reputations—it was rooted in years of community service. Long before the organization took shape, co-founder Anwar Khan and director Akhtar Ali had been mobilizing local and international donors to fund student aid, keeping countless children in school. They also led annual flood relief efforts, helping dozens of families recover from disaster. Their deep connections, experience in social aid, and standing in Chitral made the transition to Chitral Rising seamless, strengthening its foundation and ensuring its impact would extend far beyond the library.

Though Chitral Rising is a new grassroots organization, its foundation is strong, built on years of service within Chitrali communities. As the organization took shape, so did its guiding values: secularity, inclusivity, and democracy—principles deeply woven into its mission.

Inclusivity is not just a principle but an active effort. Chitral Rising takes bold steps to ensure that all people, especially those traditionally marginalized, feel welcome and represented. This commitment extends beyond words, shaping the programs, spaces, and opportunities it creates.

At the same time, its approach to secularity is not about excluding religion but embracing the diversity of beliefs. The library provides texts from all religious traditions—not just the dominant ones—and fosters open dialogue and free expression within a safe space. By making room for many perspectives, it ensures that knowledge is not filtered through a single lens but explored in its full depth and complexity.

Democracy remains a pillar of its mission, ensuring that the voices of diverse patrons actively shape everything from the books on the shelves to the events that take place. No single person should have undue influence over knowledge, which is why village action committees play a crucial role in guiding decisions. This collaborative approach strengthens the library as a shared resource, truly belonging to the community it serves.

Above all, Chitral Rising is built on optimism—not a passive hope, but an active force that drives every initiative. It is the belief that change begins with a vision, strengthened by action and persistence. Optimism means seeing challenges not as roadblocks but as opportunities to build something better. It fuels Chitral Rising’s work, ensuring that each project, each program, and each conversation pushes the community toward a future where knowledge, opportunity, and progress belong to everyone.