Sindh Minister for Education and Literacy Pir Mazhar-ul-Haq and Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis Dr Farooq Sattar attended the inaugural session of book fair as chief guest and guest of honour, respectively. Total 180 publishers including foreign and domestic publishing houses set more than 300 stalls at hall number 1, 2 and 3 of the expo centre. The foreign delegations include India, Iran, Turkey and others.
Addressing the inaugural ceremony, Overseas Minister Dr Farooq Sattar said that book culture need to be promoted in order to eradicate the menace of extremism and terrorism in the country. "Organising book fairs are healthy and constructive activity which has very significance in terms of imparting knowledge among the masses," Dr Sattar said, adding that ignorance in city could only be rooted out through education.
"Today even after 65 years since Pakistan came into being, the country has been ruled by feudal lords usurping the rights of the common man," he said. He was of the view that extremism and terrorism has become the biggest challenge for the country, saying that dissemination of knowledge through books would prove beneficial in counter terrorisms efforts of the government.
"Book and education should be first priority of the every citizen besides students should be facilitated with books so that they can avail knowledge easily to make their future bright", he urged. Sindh Education Minister Pir Mazhar ul Haq advised the participants to visit Isphan, city of Iran, saying that it was the city of knowledge.
"I had visited Isphan and saw numerous Islamic libraries," he informed. He said that education and knowledge was the only way to make progress in the world. Bookseller from other parts of the country set up many stalls at the book fair, featuring various types of books.
Convenor of the KIBF, Owais Mirza Jamil, said that the prime objective of the 8th KIBF 2012 was to promote the book culture and spreading the light of literacy in the country and especially in Karachi. "Around 300,000 people are expected to attend the 8th KIBF," he added. Aziz Khalid, Chairman of Pakistan Publishers and Booksellers Association, also spoke on the occasion.