The Karachi International Book Fair (KIBF) is set to begin on December 12 and will run for five days. The event will be inaugurated by Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and is expected to attract 500,000 book enthusiasts.
Approximately 40 organizations from 17 countries will participate in the fair, offering books at significantly discounted prices.
Aziz Khalid, head of the Pakistan Publishers and Book Sellers Association, and Waqar Mateen, convener of the book fair, made the announcement at a press conference on Tuesday. They were joined by Deputy Convener Nasir Hussain and Rashid Ali, who also spoke at the event.
This year, KIBF will feature nearly 40 institutions from 17 countries, with renowned publishers from across Pakistan and abroad setting up stalls. Countries represented include Turkey, Singapore, China, Malaysia, the UK, the UAE, and others.
The fair serves as a platform for publishers, distributors, librarians, and consumers to connect. The provincial Minister for Education, Syed Sardar Ali Shah, will be the guest of honor at the opening ceremony.
Held annually since 2005, the Karachi International Book Fair is Pakistan’s largest commercial fair. It continues to attract millions of book and literature enthusiasts from across the country.
Waqar Mateen Khan emphasized that KIBF has become a key event for students, parents, academics, and professionals from various fields. He extended his gratitude to the participating publishers, whose support has been instrumental in the fair’s success.
Aziz Khalid, Chairman of the Fair and Exhibition, noted that events like KIBF go beyond being simple book fairs; they highlight the positive aspects of Pakistan in the global arena. He added that this year’s fair will provide opportunities for exchanging professional knowledge and skills, promoting values such as humanity, tolerance, and civilization.
Khalid further explained that the fair aims to inspire youth and students to acquire knowledge and skills, enabling them to contribute to the nation’s progress.
The fair is expected to draw over 500,000 attendees, with various book launches scheduled throughout the event.
The opening ceremony will take place on Thursday, December 12, 2024. Public entry will be from 10 AM to 9 PM each day, continuing until Monday, December 16, 2024.
Aziz Khalid also expressed his gratitude to the event sponsor, Pakistan Mercantile Exchange, and wished Event and Conference International continued success in organizing this global book fair.