KARACHI, Dec 5: The Sindh Education Minister, Dr Hamida Khuhro, will inaugurate an international book fair on Dec 7 at the Expo Centre, which will be opened to the public the following day. The fair will continue till the 11th. Renowned historian, Dr Romilla Thapar, who has flown in from New Delhi, will be the chief guest at the opening ceremony

A few months ago a similar book fair was held in Lahore, but foreign publishers were not allowed to run their own stalls.

They were asked to give their publications for display to their agents in Pakistan, an anomaly which displeased some of them but has been removed by the Pakistan Publishers and Booksellers Association, who are organizing the Karachi International Book Fair.

Apart from 41 Pakistani publishers, as many as 23 Indian publishers are setting up their stalls at the Expo Centre. Three publishers from the UK and one from the US are also participating in the event, which will open its door at 10am and will drop shutters at 9pm from Thursday to Sunday.

The management of a number of schools have decided to take their students to the book fair on Thursday and Friday. Some of the authors have also agreed to sign their books.

A variety of competitions for school children – which include quizzes, spelling contests, drawing competitions and storytelling sessions will also be organized.

The Pakistan Publishers and Booksellers Association have decided to make the Karachi International Book Fair an annual event.—Asif Noorani