Karachi: Even on Monday morning, the fifth and final day of the 19th Karachi International Book Fair (KIBF) at the Expo Centre, the energy remained vibrant as long queues of madrassah and schoolchildren eagerly awaited their turn to explore over 300 stalls spread across three massive halls.
The annual cultural event, now a hallmark of Karachi’s calendar, attracted visitors of all ages. From young fiction lovers to elderly readers seeking spiritual enrichment, the fair catered to a diverse audience.
Fizza, a third-year interior design student from Indus University, was seen clutching a bag of books. “I enjoy reading fiction, particularly Anna Holmes’s works,” she shared. Her classmate Huda expressed delight at finding thrillers at affordable prices, some as low as Rs200.
Among the attendees was 85-year-old Sabir Ali, a retired pharmacist who came with his son, Dr. Sameer, a dentist. “I have bought religious books but also picked up fiction like Silent Killers for my children,” Dr. Sameer said, reflecting the fair’s appeal across generations.
Popular mystery authors like Ibn-i-Safi and Ishtiaq Ahmed continued to draw attention. A stall featuring their books prominently displayed characters like Mahmud, Farooq, and Farzana to attract readers. Salesman Ahmed Raza confirmed the high demand, noting a surge of interest on Sunday. “People of all ages purchased Ibn-i-Safi’s stories,” he said.
Aziz Khalid, chairperson of the Pakistan Publishers and Booksellers Association (PPBA), described this year’s fair as “bigger and better.” He highlighted the participation of schools and even members of major political parties, underscoring a collective effort to promote education in Pakistan.
While official attendance numbers are still being tallied, Khalid estimated that the 2024 edition surpassed last year’s turnout of over 400,000 visitors. Urdu books remained a crowd favorite, with many small bookstore owners thriving during the event. “Our focus is on the middle class. We aim to make books accessible to everyone, not just the elites,” Khalid remarked.
The absence of a formal closing ceremony on Monday reflected the organizers’ priority: ensuring that as many students as possible could visit before the fair concluded.
The 19th KIBF once again reinforced Karachi’s status as a hub of literary and cultural vibrancy, leaving attendees eagerly awaiting its return next year.
