Karachi, Pakistan – The 5-day Karachi International Book Fair 2025, organized by the Pakistan Publishers and Booksellers Association (PPBA), has officially kicked off at the Karachi Expo Centre. Thousands of book enthusiasts have gathered on the first day, giving witness to the fact that reading is alive and still holds the key to unlocking human consciousness.
The event was inaugurated by Sindh Education Minister Sardar Ali Shah, who emphasized the importance of books and reading. He stated that he has been eagerly awaiting this international book fair for a whole year and that books are essential for our society, as they hold the key to our collective imagination and creativity. He reminded the audience that even in Sweden, which had previously abolished books from their education system, they soon realized the devastating effects it had on the students’ creative abilities, and they were forced to reintroduce books in the schools.
The Sindh government has taken a significant step by allocating Rs. 18 billion for the education sector, specifically for the establishment of libraries in schools across the province. This move aims to promote a reading culture and encourage students to develop a love for books.
Kamran Naurani, Chairman of the Pakistan Publishers and Booksellers Association, emphasized that the Karachi International Book Fair is not just a book exhibition, but a global confluence of scholars, writers, and intellectuals. He stated that 140 prominent publishers and book sellers from Pakistan, along with 40 foreign exhibitors from 17 countries, will be participating in the fair, showcasing their latest publications and research works.
The convener of the book fair, Waqar Mehtin Khan, highlighted that the event will feature over 325 stalls, including international exhibitors from Turkey, China, Singapore, Malaysia, the UK, and the UAE, as well as a special delegation from Al-Azhar University, Egypt. He added that the book fair will provide readers with access to high-quality books from around the world, while also offering a platform for authors to connect with publishers and showcase their works.
To cater to the interests of children and young adults, the book fair will feature a range of activities, including drawing competitions, public speaking competitions, quizzes, and other educational and entertaining programs. The National Book Foundation Secretary, Murad Ali, echoed the importance of books in today’s society, highlighting that despite the rise of digital media, book sales continue to thrive, with over 352 book fairs taking place across the country last year.
The Karachi International Book Fair will run from 10 am to 9 pm daily and will take place in Halls 1, 2, and 3 of the Karachi Expo Centre until the 12th of this month.
