15th Karachi International Book Fair begins tomorrow

As many as 400,000 people are expected to visit the 15th Karachi International Book Fair (KIBF) which is scheduled to be held here at Karachi Expo Center from 5 till 9 December 2019.

Addressing a press conference here at a local hotel, the Convener of 15th KIBF Waqar Mateen Khan and Chairman of Pakistan Publishers and Booksellers Association (PPBA) Aziz Khalid said that besides 136 leading publishers and booksellers from Pakistan, 40 exhibitors from 17 countries will participate in the mega fair.

The five-day Book Fair is being organized by the Pakistan Publishers and Booksellers Association.

They said the event brings together publishing and distribution houses, domestic / international publishers, booksellers, librarians and institutional customers on a single platform. Publishers from Iran, India, Turkey, Singapore, China, Malaysia, England, UAE and other countries are attending the international event.

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah will inaugurate the book fair.

They said KIBF has become a remarkable literary event with educated and motivated visitors from all walks of life. More than 330 stands shall display books on all subjects to discerning readers including vast numbers of families, students and book lovers from all over the country.

Waqar Mateen Khan expressed his gratitude to the publishers and booksellers for their participation in the fair and the Managing Committee for their untiring efforts to make this event possible.

He hoped that this year as in the past record breaking number of visitors shall participate in the 15th Karachi International Book Fair.

Aziz Khalid stressed that this edition will be remarkable and distinctive as efforts are being made to establish effective working relationships with key International Book Fairs leading towards an exchange of professional expertise for highlighting the importance of Book Fairs at national and international level.

"Fairs are not only book exhibits any more, international book fairs are very important forums not only for publishers but also for the government agencies/missions as an effective tool for Diplomacy," he elaborated. "Also underlined is the commitment to the propagation of knowledge by highlighting the values of humanism and ethics that promote tolerance, discussions and openness to others in a civilized society."

KIBF aims to motivate the nation's youth and students to take part in cultural and creative activities to strengthen their role as pillars of an intellectually, scientifically, literary-wise and culturally flourishing future.

He reiterated that "Around 400,000 people are expected to visit the 15th KIBF.

The event will be visited by book lovers, students from all groups and ages, professionals from all walks of life, academicians, writers, librarians and general public. Various book launchings and book release ceremonies will also be held for notable writers during the fair besides entertaining various contests like drawing, recitation, extempore speech, and quizzes for kids.