Dream come true: KIBF promises to be a readers’ heaven

The 11th Karachi International Book Fair starts tomorrow

KARACHI: The five-day 11th Karachi International Book Fair (KIBF) is ready to kick off tomorrow, November 12.  Pakistan Publishers and Booksellers Association (PPBA) is organising the book fair in collaboration with the National Book Foundation.

"Over 330 stalls will be put up at the five-day book fair to be held at Expo Centre," announced Elite publishers limited convener, Owais Mirza Jamil, addressing at the media on Tuesday.

According to Jamil, this year, more than 10 International exhibitors are coming to Pakistan to display their books. Publishers from Iran, India, Turkey, Singapore, China, Malaysia and UAE are part of the KIBF this year. "This year, more than 140 national publishers are also exhibiting books at the fair from Lahore, Islamabad and Jehlum," he added.



"KIBF is Pakistan's largest book fair that gives a platform to new publishers to make their mark," he said. He elaborated how they had given just a table and a chair to many publishers during the early years, but now they buy three stalls at a time to display their books.

Speaking about the discounted prices, Jamil said that they have made special arrangements for new writers, new book launches and new publishers in the market. "Usually, the fair has discounts of a maximum 70 per cent and a minimum of 25 per cent," he added.

Meanwhile, Aziz Khalid, the deputy convener of the KIBF, also announced that they are expecting 450,000 people to visit the fair this year. He also said that the National Book Foundation has extended its full support in making the book fair a success.

The book fair is open to students of all ages, parents who seek good books other than course and curriculum books for their children, professionals from all walks of life, academicians, writers, librarians and general public. "I have seen school buses bringing in students to explore books and visit book fairs in recent years," said Khalid.



Various book-launching ceremonies will also be held of notable and new writers during the fair, he claimed. Entertaining and engaging contests for the children, including drawing competitions, speeches and quiz competitions for kids will also be held, he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 11^th, 2015.