KARACHI: The Managing Committee of Karachi International Book Fair (KIBF) has revealed at a press conference that besides 140 leading publishers and booksellers from Pakistan and, 40 exhibitors from 17 countries will participate in the 19th Karachi International Book Fair (KIBF) from 12th – 16th Dec’24 in the three halls 1, 2 & 3 at the Karachi Expo Center.

The five-day 19th Karachi International Book Fair 2024 is organized by Event and Conference International Pvt. Ltd. In association with Pakistan Publishers & Book sellers Association. (PPBA) KIBF Managing Committee said that Chief Minister of Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah,  as the Chief Guest will inaugurate the Book Fair on 12th December 2024.  Syed Sardar Ali Shah, Provisional Minister of education and Literacy Department Government of Sindh will be  our Guest of Honor . and Muhammad Ahmed Shah (President of Arts Council Pakistan) is our Keynote Speaker.

Karachi International Book Fair has now achieved the distinction of being Pakistan's largest consumer/trade fair since its inception in 2005.  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.  Karachi International Book Fair 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. These views were expressed by Convener 19th KIBF, Mr. Waqar Mateen Khan and Mr. Aziz Khalid, Chairman of Pakistan Publishers and Booksellers Association while speaking at a press conference, held at a local hotel here on Tuesday, 10th December, 2024.

Mr. 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 19th Karachi International Book Fair. Mr. Aziz Khalid Chairman, Pakistan Publishers and Booksellers Association (PPBA) 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 and culturally flourishing future.

He reiterated that "Around 500,000 people are expected to visit the 19th 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. Karachi International Book Fair timings are 10 am to 9 pm daily from Thursday, 12th till Monday, 16th December, 2024. Deputy Convener Syed Nasir Hussain, Nadeem Mazhar, M. Iqbal Ghaziani, Iqbal Saleh Mohammad, Kamran Noorani, Owais Mirza Jamil and Saleem Abdul Hussain, Saad bin Aziz, Asghar Zaidi and Owais Mirza Jameel also attended the Press conference.