It is responsible for looking after the interests of the professional librarians who work for the development and improvement of libraries both in formal and informal sectors of education and research.
Prior to the formation of PLA there was the Pakistan Bibliographical Working Group (PBWG) which promoted library activities.
According to Dr. Anis Khurshid, an ad hoc committee meeting of the PBWG on 6 July 1954 chaired by H. A. Qazi formed a National Association for Librarians.
[citation needed] The committee members included Syed Vilayat Hussain, Khawaja Noor Elahi, Fazal-e-Elahi and Akhtar H. Siddiqui.
[2] In addition to regular meetings, the PLA arranges library seminars, workshops, discussions, book exhibitions, etc.