The five-day 16th Karachi International Book Fair culminated at Karachi Expo Center with a record of success as on the fifth day, thousands of citizens continued to arrive till night.
According to an estimate, more than 600,000 students of schools, colleges, universities and madrassas besides national and provincial ministers, chairmen and members of educational associations, literary, educational, religious, political and social personalities visited the book fair.
On the fifth day, Japanese Consulate General Toshikazu Isomura and former Education Minister Pir Mazharul Haq along with other political, religious and social personalities also visited the book fair. Speaking to the media, Japanese Consulate General Toshikazu Isomura said that the English language has its own importance the national language should also be given importance.
“You have to be proud of Urdu language and promote it,” he said and added that it is a good thing that those who are thirsty for books are coming here to quench their thirst. The book fair is a good tradition and should continue
Former Minister for Education Pir Mazhar-ul-Haq said that the organizers deserve congratulations for organizing this wonderful international book fair. “I pay my heartfelt tribute to them,” the former education minster said
He said that people from all walks of life are coming here, which shows that there are still book lovers
On the first day, Provincial Minister for Education Syed Sardar Ali Shah inaugurated the International Book Fair while other guests included former education minister Pir Mazharul Haq, writer and artist Anwar Maqsood, Arts Council president Ahmad Shah and writer Fatima Hassan.
The next day, provincial health minister Azra Pechuhu, Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan Convener Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui and former MPA Rauf Siddiqui visited the book fair. On the third day, Federal Minister for Information Technology Aminul Haq, former Senator Javed Jabbar and Chairman All Private Schools Management Association Tariq Shah visited.
On the fourth day, Secretary Tourism and Culture Abdul Rahim Soomro, Secretary Sindh HEC Moinuddin, Amir Chishti of MQM-P and Registrar of Private Institutions Rafia Javed paid a special visit to the book fair.
Citizens, including guests and participants at the International Book Fair, paid tribute to the management for the excellent organization of the book fair and said that such fairs should be held every six months.
Chairman Karachi International Book FairAziz Khalid thanked the citizens for their love for books and said in that many good ideas for the next book fair are under consideration. On the last day, Welcome Publishers, Children’s Publishers and MK Publishers witness an extraordinary interest of students and citizens
