The five-day Karachi World Book Fair, organized by Pakistan Publishers and Booksellers at the Karachi Expo Center, concluded on a high note, shattering previous attendance records with an estimated 550,000 visitors over its duration.
According to a statement issued today, the event saw a diverse audience, including a significant turnout of students from more than 300 schools, colleges, universities, and religious seminaries. Provincial Education Minister Syed Sardar Ali Shah inaugurated the fair. The opening ceremony was graced by notable personalities such as Arts Council Pakistan President Ahmed Shah and National Book Foundation Secretary Murad Ali.
Throughout the week, the fair attracted a host of distinguished guests from various sectors. Attendees included Federal Minister for Education and Training Maqbool Ahmed Siddiqui, Opposition Leader Ali Khorshidi, Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami Karachi Munem Zafar, and MPA Moeed Anwar.
The literary and academic community was represented by figures like writer Fatima Hassan, National Book Foundation Managing Director Kamran Jahangir, and Director School Education Karachi Arshad Baig, among other educational and social leaders.
The expansive exhibition featured 329 stalls, with participation from 17 domestic and 17 international publishers and booksellers. On the concluding day, attendees benefited from significant discounts ranging from 30 to 70 percent on various titles.
During a visit on the final day, Vice Chancellor of Nazir Hussain University, Prof. Dr. Masroor Ahmed Sheikh, emphasized the importance of such gatherings for promoting Islamic values and traditions among the youth. He described the book fair as having become an “identity of Pakistan” and praised the high turnout as an encouraging sign for the future of reading in the digital era.
Organizers have announced that the next edition of the five-day fair is scheduled to commence on December 17, 2026.