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, President, Jang Media Group, and Murad Ali Mohmand, Managing Director, National Book Foundation, along with cofounders, Aziz Memon and Syed Khalid Mahmood, in a colourful ceremony at Rangoonwala Community Centre, Dhoraji Society, on Wednesday.
All the worthy speakers highlighted the significance of books and libraries, describing the KFBL as a landmark initiative which would go a long way in promoting reading habits in the society, particularly among the youth of the country.
They were unanimous in advocating for more activities of this nature in the larger national interest. They drew warm applause from the audience, who were thoroughly appreciative of their proven level of commitment for social service.
Quite a few publishers, booksellers and NGOs have tastefully decorated their stalls while offering generous discount to the visitors during the book fair. Some of the exhibitors, pursuing welfare objectives, are also providing books, absolutely free of cost to the deserving people. The book fair concluded Thursday.
The first-ever KFBL, being produced by Jumbo Publishing with the collaboration of the English-Speaking Union of Pakistan (ESUP), was launched in January with the President of Pakistan, Dr Arif Alvi, having inaugurated the festival in March. Various segments of the KFBL, set to become an annual event, were held throughout the year with the curtain falling on it with the book fair.
