Over 150 prominent publishers and booksellers hailing from Pakistan, along with 40 exhibitors representing 17 nations, are set to converge at the 18th Karachi International Book Fair 2023. Scheduled to unfold from December 14th to 18th at the expansive Karachi Expo Center, the event spans three halls: 1, 2, and 3.
Organized by the Pakistan Publishers and Booksellers Association, the five-day extravaganza is poised to attract a diverse array of participants. The KIBF Managing Committee, in a press conference held at a local hotel on Monday, expressed their anticipation that the Book Fair will be inaugurated on December 14, 2023, by Caretaker Chief Minister of Sindh, Justice (Rtd) Maqbool Baqir. Additionally, Muhammad Ahmed Shah, the Caretaker Minister of Information, Ministry Affairs & Social Protection Department for the Government of Sindh, and President of Art Council Karachi, is set to be the Guest of Honor.
Established in 2005, the Karachi International Book Fair has evolved into Pakistan’s premier consumer and trade fair. Bringing together publishing and distribution houses, both domestic and international publishers, booksellers, librarians, and institutional customers, the event serves as a unifying platform for the literary community.
Representatives from countries including Iran, India, Turkey, Singapore, China, Malaysia, England, and the UAE will be present, underscoring the event’s international significance. The fair has gained renown as a notable literary gathering, drawing educated and motivated visitors from diverse backgrounds. More than 330 stands will showcase books covering a multitude of subjects, catering to discerning readers, families, students, and book enthusiasts from across the country.
Convener of the 18th Karachi International Book Fair 2023, Waqar Mateen Khan, and Aziz Khalid, Chairman of the Pakistan Publishers and Booksellers Association, shared these insights during a press conference on December 11, 2023, at a local hotel. Khan expressed gratitude to the participants and the Managing Committee for their tireless efforts, expressing optimism that this year’s event will attract a record-breaking number of visitors.
Chairman Aziz Khalid emphasized the uniqueness of this edition, highlighting efforts to establish effective collaborations with key international book fairs. These collaborations aim to facilitate the exchange of professional expertise, emphasizing the significance of book fairs at both national and international levels.
Khalid noted, “Fairs are no longer just book exhibits; international book fairs serve as crucial forums for publishers and government agencies, acting as effective tools for diplomacy.” He underscored the commitment to promoting knowledge dissemination, humanism, ethics, tolerance, and open discussions in a civilized society.
The KIBF’s overarching goal is to inspire the nation’s youth and students to engage in cultural and creative activities, fostering their role as pillars of an intellectually, scientifically, and culturally vibrant future.
Anticipating a turnout of around 400,000 visitors, the 18th KIBF is poised to attract book lovers, students of all ages, professionals, academicians, writers, librarians, and the general public. The event will feature various book launchings and release ceremonies for notable writers, accompanied by entertaining contests for kids, including drawing, recitation, extempore speech, and quizzes.
Operating from 10 am to 9 pm daily, the Karachi International Book Fair promises a rich cultural and literary experience, starting on Thursday, December 14, and concluding on Monday, December 18, 2023. The press conference was attended by Deputy Convener Syed Nasir Hussain, Nadeem Mazhar, M. Iqbal Ghaziani, Iqbal Saleh Mohammad, Nadeem Akhtar, Kamran Noorani, Owais Mirza Jamil, Saleem Abdul Hussain, Saad bin Aziz, Asghar Zaidi, and Owais Mirza Jameel. The doors to the public open at 10:00 am on the inaugural day.
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