Five-day international book fair begins tomorrow

As many as 136 leading publishers and booksellers from Pakistan and 40 exhibitors from 17 countries will participate in the 15th Karachi International Book Fair (KIBF), according to organisers.

In a news conference held at a hotel on Tuesday, members of the KIBF managing committee said the five-day book fair, which is organised by the Pakistan Publishers and Booksellers Association, would start on December 5 at the Karachi Expo Centre’s halls 1, 2 and 3. People can visit the venue from 10am to 9pm daily.

Over 330 stalls would be on display and around 400,000 people were expected to visit the fair, organisers said, adding that Sindh Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah would inaugurate the book fair.

KIBF convener Waqar Mateen Khan said the KIBF had achieved the distinction of being Pakistan's largest consumer and trade fair since its inception in 2005.

“The event brings together publishing and distribution houses, domestic and international publishers, booksellers, librarians and institutional customers on a single platform,” he said. Publishers from Iran, India, Turkey, Singapore, China, Malaysia, England, the UAE, and other countries would attend the event, he added.

“The KIBF has become a remarkable literary event with educated and motivated visitors from all walks of life attending it annually. More than 330 stands will display books on all subjects this time round,” he said, adding that families, students and book lovers from all over the country should attend the fair.

Pakistan Publishers and Booksellers Association chairman Aziz Khalid said efforts were being made to establish effective working relationships with key international book fairs for an exchange of professional expertise to highlight the importance of book fairs at the national and international levels.

“International book fairs are very important forums not only for publishers but also for governments as an effective tool for diplomacy”, he said, adding that dissemination of knowledge was necessary to promote tolerance, discussions and openness to others in society.

“The KIBF aims to motivate youths and students to take part in cultural and creative activities to strengthen their role as pillars of an intellectually, scientifically, literary and culturally flourishing future,” he stated.

He reiterated that around 400,000 people were expected to visit the 15th KIBF. The event would be visited by book lovers, students, professionals, academicians, writers and librarians, he added.

Various book launchings and book release ceremonies will also be held for notable writers during the fair besides entertaining contests like drawing, recitation, extempore speech, and quizzes for kids.