Book fair draws crowds on second day

Stalls of ISPR, Braille books, online reading apps centre of attraction

KARACHI:

Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) convener Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, diplomats, and intellectuals on Friday visited the ongoing five-day Karachi International Book Fair (KIBF) at Karachi Expo Center.

Talking to the media along with Pakistan Publishers and Booksellers Association (PPBA) Chairman Aziz Khalid and KIBF Convener Waqar Mateen, Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui said that friendship with books signifies friendship with knowledge, and only knowledge will help us in coming out of the darkness. He added that Karachi has always promoted knowledge and considers KIBF as its hallmark.

A large number of national and international publishers have set up their stalls at the book fair, while several online publishing entities are exhibiting and promoting their websites.

SP Gulshan Iqbal Syed Saleem Shah also visited a stall at the exhibition and bought historical books. Talking at the occasion, he said that the arrival of a large number of citizens at the book fair is a welcoming sign showing that people still wish to stay connected with the books.

Stalls set up by ISPR in the book fair were crowded by a large number of citizens. The visitors showed keen interest in books and magazines and bought copies of Al-Hilal magazine and books based on stories of martyred soldiers.

A stall for visually impaired people offering books in Braille, including Holy Quran was also present on the occasion. Present on the occasion, the senior citizens and parents at the exhibition said that organising the book fair is no less than an honour for the city.

They urged the publishers and organisers to come up with such festivals and events every three or six months so that students and citizens maintain their interest in books.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, December 10^th, 2022.