The Karachi World Book Fair will begin at the Expo Centre from December 18, where the arrival of more than 500,000 book lovers is expected. The fair will see a significant global presence, with the participation of 40 exhibitors from 17 countries, alongside 140 domestic publishers and booksellers.
The five-day international fair will commence on Thursday, December 18, at the Karachi Expo Centre. The inauguration will be conducted by the Provincial Minister for Education and Literacy Sindh, Syed Sardar Ali Shah, as the chief guest, while the President of the Arts Council of Pakistan, Muhammad Ahmed Shah, will be the guest of honor. The exhibition will be open to the public daily from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
In a press conference held at a local hotel on Monday, the organizers detailed the scope of the fair. KWB’s Convener Waqar Mateen Khan, alongside Pakistan Publishers and Booksellers Association’s Kamran Noorani, confirmed the participation of countries including Turkey, Singapore, China, Malaysia, the United Kingdom, and the United Arab Emirates, among others.
The fair will span Halls 1, 2, and 3 of the Expo Centre, where more than 325 stalls will be set up. The event is being organized by Event and Conference International Private Limited in collaboration with the PPBA.
Waqar Mateen Khan stated that the fair serves as an important hub for local and foreign publishers, booksellers, librarians, and institutional buyers. He said it provides participants with access to a wide variety of national and international literature while also offering authors the opportunity to connect directly with publishing houses.
Kamran Noorani highlighted that this year’s edition will be a memorable event, with a special emphasis on professional collaboration and the exchange of experiences from international book fairs. The schedule will also include book launch ceremonies, unveilings of books by renowned authors, and various competitions for children, including drawing, speeches, and quizzes.