Special correspondent
KARACHI: The two-day book fair, the final event of the 1st Karachi Festival of Books and Libraries (KFBL) 2024, was jointly inaugurated by Senator Sarmad Ali, Chairman, Jang Media Group, and Murad Ali Mohmand, Director General, National Book Fair. The Foundation, along with its co-founders, Aziz Memon and Syed Khalid Mehmood, at a colorful ceremony at the Rangoonwala Community Centre, Doraji Society, on Wednesday.
All the speakers highlighted the importance of books and libraries, and described KFBL as a landmark initiative that would go a long way in promoting reading habits in the society, especially among the youth of the country.
They unanimously called for more activities of this kind in the greater national interest. They received warm applause from the audience, who expressed their deep appreciation for their unwavering level of commitment to social service.
Quite a number of publishers, booksellers and NGOs have tastefully decorated their stalls while offering huge discount to visitors during the book fair. Some exhibitors, in pursuit of social welfare goals, also provide books completely free of charge to deserving people. The book fair concluded on Thursday.
The first ever KFBL, produced by Jumbo Publishing in collaboration with the English Speaking Union of Pakistan (ESUP), was launched in January with Pakistani President Dr Arif Alvi inaugurating the festival in March. Various segments of the KFBL, which is set to become an annual event, were held throughout the year with the curtain coming down with the book fair.