KARACHI: The five-day Karachi World Book Fair (KWBF) 2025 was inaugurated on Thursday by Sindh Minister for Education Syed Sardar Ali Shah at the Karachi Expo Centre.
Addressing the opening ceremony, Syed Sardar Ali Shah said he always feels happy participating in the Karachi World Book Fair and looks forward to it throughout the year.
"I attend it officially first and then return again for my own satisfaction," he said, adding that books form the foundation of social and intellectual development.
The education minister said that countries which had once stopped printing books have now realised their importance and resumed publication. He described reading as a journey of creativity, saying, "If the book dies, dreams will die too. We must not let books die."
He urged the KWBF organisers to expand book exhibitions to other cities of Sindh and announced that space is being allocated for libraries in government schools.
He also recalled that after last year’s book fair, he had written to the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to abolish tax on paper.
Former provincial information minister and president of the Arts Council of Pakistan, Ahmed Shah, while speaking at the ceremony, said that seeing children's enthusiasm at the book fair gives a renewed sense of life.
He reiterated that the Arts Council has always supported positive initiatives in the country, describing books as the key to civilisation.
Chairman of the Pakistan Publishers and Booksellers Association, Kamran Noorani, said efforts are underway to extend the World Book Fair to other cities of Sindh.
He announced that book fairs are planned next year in Hyderabad, Larkana and Sukkur. He acknowledged the continued support of the National Book Foundation and expressed hope for future cooperation.
Emphasising the role of parents, Kamran Noorani said it is their responsibility to bring children closer to books. He stressed the need for well-equipped school libraries and an environment that encourages discussion on various subjects.
Sharing a personal anecdote, he said he once found a book with a note written by his father addressed to him when he was just two years old, highlighting the lasting impact of connecting children with reading from an early age.
Convener of the Karachi World Book Fair, Waqar Mateen, informed the audience that the five-day event features 140 leading Pakistani publishers and booksellers, along with 40 foreign exhibitors from 17 countries. He later thanked chief guest Syed Sardar Ali Shah and all participants for their presence and support.
