xpo Centre recently hosted the 38th Lahore International Book Fair. A five-day affair, the event was organised by the Lahore International Book Fair Trust.

On the last day of the event, TNS visited the Book Fair and reached out to different vendors at the venue who all said that this year the sales had been lower, compared to the fair’s previous editions.

For many visitors, it felt like a family gala. Mahmood Haider, a businessman, who was there with his three kids excitedly checking out the stalls offering children’s books, said, “It’s a great opportunity for book lovers, as you get to know about the latest publications.”

Haider said that he had been regularly attending the book fairs held in the city. “I usually pick up non-fiction,” he added. “While there are some exceptional Pakistani authors to be found, the overall quality of locally produced books needs improvement. Research is undervalued in our country.”

Munazza Haq, a middle-aged woman, who was holding a stack of books, talked about “really interesting, life-changing books here — chiefly, the self-help books. You name it, and they have it.”

Like Haider, she claimed to be big on book fairs. “Besides, I love visiting old book shops. Old books are like gold dust. They are worth archiving.”

One also spotted Dr Ali Madeeh Hashmi at the book fair. Hashmi commented, “It’s great to see lots of books and lots of publishers. Despite economic challenges, the turnout here is significant.”

Responding to a query, he said that promoting reading in an era dominated by social media and digital distractions was the need of the hour. “Books, whether printed, digital, or audio, help us learn about ourselves and connect with the world.”

Hashmi acknowledged that the publishing industry was growing but still had a long way to go. “There are many young writers who need support — financial as well as digital — to reach a wider audience.”

Talking to TNS, renowned fiction writer Ali Akbar Natiq said book fairs “should be arranged more frequently — ideally, every quarter.

“The number of visitors to book fairs is sadly decreasing as book prices are on the rise. Stall fees are another major hurdle. Last year, a stall cost Rs 70,000; this year, it’s risen to Rs 100,000.”

“Fairs create an environment where books are prominently displayed, making them more accessible.”

He criticised the moneyed elite for not choosing to patronise art and literature.

Tauqeer Kharral, known for his book Najaf to Karbala, also shared his thoughts on the event: “There’s a saying that everything good in the world is found in books, but the number of visitors to book fairs is sadly decreasing as book prices are on the rise. Stall fees are a major hurdle. Last year, a stall cost Rs 70,000; this year, the amount has risen to Rs 100,000.”

He rejected the claim that digital content had replaced printed books. “That’s mere propaganda. People still love the feel, the texture and the scent of books. The magic of printed book in your hand is still alive.

“The real issue is the lack of proper food stalls at the fair,” he said, tongue-in-cheek. “Visitors struggle to find basic [food] items like biryani or shwarma.” There was actually a lot of buzz around shwarma being sold in larger numbers than books at the fair.

According to Kharral, Lumbo Corner was one of the busiest spots at the book fair. Authors like Rauf Klasra had spent the whole day signing books. The sales of Kharral’s own book had surged, thanks to the event, and the second edition (of Najaf to Karbala) had sold out.

He also noted that women constituted a majority of the buyers and that religious books were the most popular buy.

The 38th Lahore International Book Fair offered discounts on a variety of books — old, new, fiction and non-fiction. Despite the dip in book sales, the fair proved to be a popular event for the bibliophiles. It offered a rare space for readers to engage with authors, explore diverse genres and rekindle their love for literature.

The presence of authors seemed to ignite young readers’ enthusiasm. Besides, the demand for books indicated that the reading culture in Pakistan hadn’t died after all.

Ahsan Malik is a media veteran interested in politics, consumer rights and entrepreneurship