The five-day Karachi World Book Fair (KWBF) began on Thursday at the Expo Centre, attracting hundreds of schoolchildren, readers, and book enthusiasts. Organised by the Pakistan Publishers and Booksellers Association (PPBA), the fair features 329 stalls with publishers from 17 countries, including 140 from Pakistan.
Read More: 19th Karachi International Book Fair concludes
Sindh Education Minister Syed Sardar Shah, the chief guest at the inaugural ceremony in Hall No 4, highlighted the importance of books for society’s growth and creativity. He traced the history of books, acknowledging China for inventing paper and Germany for the printing press, and cautioned against letting books disappear in the era of artificial intelligence.
“Books are not only a man’s best friend, but also his biggest leader,” he said, emphasising the need to nurture reading habits among children. Mr Shah also urged the federal government to reduce taxes on paper, citing the impact of high costs on the publishing industry and accessibility to knowledge.
وزیر تعلیم سندھ سید سردار علی شاہ نے کراچی میں “عالمی کتب میلہ” کا افتتاح کردیا۔
پانچ روزہ کتب میلہ کا انعقاد ایکسپو سینٹر کراچی میں کیا گیا ہے۔
صوبائی وزیر سید سردار علی شاہ نے افتتاح کے موقع پر کہا کہ کتابیں علم، شعور اور تنقیدی سوچ کو فروغ دیتی ہیں۔
سید سردار علی شاہ کو… pic.twitter.com/i16QX0sJZC
— Sindh Information Department (@sindhinfodepart) December 18, 2025
The minister announced initiatives to promote reading in schools, including establishing book corners across Sindh. He also assured that international book fairs would be held in Hyderabad, Sukkur, Larkana, and Mirpurkhas with full support from the provincial government.
Arts Council President Ahmed Shah lauded the participation of schoolchildren and pledged support for the organisers. PPBA Chairman Kamran Noorani encouraged parents to buy books for their children and shared a personal anecdote about a book gifted to him by his father, stressing the value of nurturing a reading culture.
Other speakers included KWBF convener Waqar Mateen and National Book Foundation Secretary Murad Ali, who highlighted the role of the fair in promoting literacy and cultural exchange.
Read More: 13th Karachi International Book Fair begins
The fair will run daily from 10am to 9pm until December 22, offering a diverse range of subjects and genres for readers of all ages. Visitors can explore literature, educational materials, and cultural works from local and international publishers.