Jumbo Publishing’s delegation discuss tourism, cultural cooperation with Malaysia

By Dr Beenish Khalid 

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

A three-member delegation of Jumbo Publishing, headed by its Chairman, Syed Khalid Mahmood, and also featuring its editorial associates, Syed Muhammad Umer and Javeria Khalid, called on the Consul General of Malaysia, HE Herman Hardynata Ahmad, at the Consulate General of Malaysia, housed in DHA Phase-V, Karachi, recently. 

The Consul General, himself having had the exposure of working in media projects before taking up a career as diplomat, lavishly praised the contents as well as the quality of printing of Jumbo Karachi Guide, describing it as a worthy publication for anyone desiring to learn about the various aspects of the commercial capital of Pakistan. 

When informed about the plans to assess the possibilities of bringing out a similar guidebook of Kuala Lumpur, a hotbed of tourism, he graciously offered to connect the Jumbo Publishing team to the concerned authorities in Malaysia for working out details for mutual benefit. 

He also suggested touching base with the Pakistan-Malaysia Business Council for this purpose. 

Expressing his appreciation at learning about the Karachi Festival of Books & Libraries (KFBL), an annual event produced by Jumbo Publishing since 2024, the Consul General agreed that such an event could also work wonders in Malaysia and he volunteered to facilitate in reaching out the concerned departments whenever needed. 

The delegation of Jumbo Publishing thanked the Consul General for the admiration of their ideas and plans and it was agreed in principle to explore the possibilities in this direction. 

Jumbo Publishing’s team also congratulated the Consul General for doing a wonderful job in Karachi where he has made quite a few new friends over the years with his courteous nature. The meeting concluded with presentation of souvenirs.

KFBL co-founder attends librarians’ gathering

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi 

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

One of the co-founders of the Karachi Festival of Books and Libraries (KFBL), Syed Khalid Mahmood, attended the gathering of library professionals hosted by Muhammad Younis Hashmi, a former chief librarian of the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), held in Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Karachi, on January 3. 

Speaking briefly on the occasion, the KFBL co-founder, who is the Chairman of Jumbo Publishing, commended the efforts of Younis Hashmi, having relocated to Canada after having worked for more than four decades at PIA, in trying to unite the community of librarians living in Pakistan. 

He congratulated Professor Farheen Mahmood on her promotion as Senior Chief Librarian and others who have also been promoted to the next grade recently. 

The host, Younis Hashmi, who seems to be in the process of establishing a tradition of holding get-togethers whenever he returns to Karachi, expressed his gratitude to the guests for having made it to the event despite their professional, social and personal preoccupations. 

He informed the guests about his participation in the KFBL as a panellist and described the festival, staged at the Habitt City, a very successful one. 

His strong networking skills combined with the eagerness to keep the librarians in particular active socially resulted in a healthy turnout and it also brought together quite a few of his former departmental colleagues from PIA, many of whom were thrilled to see each other after considerably long time. 

Besides Syed Khalid Mahmood, the guests in the dinner party included Abdul Hamid, Hira Yaseen, Prof Farheen Mahmood, Syed Ghazanfar Abbas, Shamraiz Kayani, Aziz Khatri, Zahid Mirza, Anwar Hussain, Syed Muzaffar Ali Shah, Farzana Zafar and Ali Asghar Dars.

Jumbo Publishing to launch Festival of Books and Libraries also in Lahore, Islamabad next year

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi 

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Jumbo Publishing, with the collaboration of the English-Speaking Union of Pakistan (ESUP), will start holding Festival of Books and Libraries also in Lahore and Islamabad next year, besides continuing to organize the Karachi Festival of Books and Libraries (KFBL). 

This was announced during the opening ceremony of the 2nd KFBL 20025 at the Habitt City, Karachi, on December 29. Jang Group will be the media partner in all the three events all of them will also be supported by the National Book Foundation (NBF) and the National Library of Pakistan (NLP). 

The co-founders, Aziz Memon and Syed Khalid Mahmood, shared their plans for hosting the 3rd KFBL 2026 during the month of March, soon after Eid holidays, while the festivals are being planned to be staged during the months of September 2026 and November 2026 in Islamabad and Lahore respectively. The first-ever KFBL, it may be recalled, was inaugurated by the President of Pakistan in 2024.

Dr Beenish Khalid recognized for creative designs in 2nd KFBL 2025

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi 

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The recognition of Dr Beenish Khalid, a young and promising doctor, was one of the surprising features of the opening ceremony of the second edition of the Karachi Festival of Books and Libraries (KFBL) at the Habitt City on December 29. 

She was recognized for having conceived and implemented successfully the festival’s social media plan which included the designing of the posts, resulting in creating greater awareness about the event with the continued engagement of the bookworms. 

She was invited to the stage where all the dignitaries acknowledged her incredible efforts as the audience gave her a round of applause. As a mark of appreciation, Dr Beenish was honoured to stand in the centre of the group photograph, between the chief guest, Senator Sarmad Ali, and the chief host, Aziz Memon. 

The first of its kind event in the country is being produced by Jumbo Publishing with the collaboration of the English-Speaking Union of Pakistan (ESUP) while Jang Group was its media partner. The National Book Foundation (NBF) and the National Library of Pakistan (NLP) also supported the initiative which had been launched with great fanfare by the President of Pakistan last year.

Senator Sarmad Ali inaugurates KFBL 2025 at Habitt

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Senator Sarmad Ali, President, All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS), inaugurated the second edition of the Karachi Festival of Books and Libraries (KFBL) in a graceful ceremony at the Habitt City on December 29. 

The first of its kind event in the country is being produced by Jumbo Publishing with the collaboration of the English-Speaking Union of Pakistan (ESUP) while Jang Group was its media partner. The National Book Foundation (NBF) and the National Library of Pakistan (NLP) also supported the initiative which had been launched with great fanfare by the President of Pakistan last year. 

Speaking on the occasion, Senator Sarmad highlighted the virtues of book reading and urged the people not to abandon the passion of reading books despite the invasion of digital gadgets.

“It is universally accepted that books change our lives and enhance our wisdom and vision. We must continue reading books to keep progressing in life and achieving our goals,” he remarked.

“My mission is to promote book reading culture and play my due role in this direction at the national level. He suggested for designating and celebrating a National Library Day as well as National Book Reading Day every year,” Senator Sarmad, who heads Senate of Pakistan’s Library Committee, observed. 

He was of the opinion that mothers can play a vital role in motivating their kids and, instead of gifting them toys and mobile phones, they should give them packs of books to generate their interest in reading from a young age. 

Senator Sarmad backed the proposal of holding similar Festival of Books and Libraries in Lahore, Islamabad and other cities of Pakistan, besides continuing to do it in Karachi, assuring his full support to such events which, he reckoned, will revive the reading culture. 

Upon arrival, he was warmly welcomed by the KFBL Co-founders, Aziz Memon and Syed Khalid Mahmood. The opening session was also attended by Murad Ali Mohmand, Managing Director, NBF, Hasnain Shah, Assistant Director, NLP, besides former cricket umpire, Mahbboob Shah, and renowned hotelier, Azeem Qureshi. 

Aziz Memon, International President of the English-Speaking Union (ESU), announced that the KFBL will now be expanded to Lahore and Islamabad, with the collaboration of various stakeholders, next year as he felt that such events were vitally important for improving the mental health of the nation. 

Syed Khalid Mahmood, who conducted the proceedings, informed the audience about the salient features of the 2nd KFBL 2025 which will continue until tomorrow (Tuesday). More than a dozen sessions, to be participated and moderated by leading personalities, are planned to be held during the two-day festival. All the speakers appreciated the KFBL Co-founders for putting together a big event and such a major venue. 

99-year-old author inaugurates KFBL-WBD 2025 celebrations

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

 

The 99-year-old famous scholar and commentator, Bashir Ahmad Khan, having authored a record number of 45 books, declared open the KFBL World Book Day 2025 celebrations, being produced by Jumbo Publishing, on April 21. 

“I, Bashir Ahmad Khan, the author of 45 books, do hereby declare open World Book Day celebrations of 2nd Karachi Festival of Books and Libraries 2025,” the 99-year-old celebrity announced in the presence of many other dignitaries present on the occasion. 

“Reading books, as you all know, offers multiple benefits, which include improved mental health, increased knowledge, enhanced vocabulary, and stress reduction,” he highlighted. “My heartiest congratulations to KFBL Co-founders, Aziz Memon and Syed Khalid Mahmood, organizers, supporters, volunteers and participants of this grand initiative. God bless you all. Pakistan Zindabad,” Bashir Ahmad Khan concluded. 

Dr Miftah Ismail, a former federal finance minister, also attended the ceremony alongwith the top officials of the Delhi Anglo-Arabic College and Schools Old Boys Association. 

The 10-day event of the 2nd Karachi Festival of Books and Libraries (KFBL) 2025, focused on World Book Day, will witness a flurry of activities engaging people of all age groups. 

It may be recalled that the KFBL, produced by Jumbo Publishing with the collaboration of the English-Speaking Union of Pakistan (ESUP), was inaugurated the President of Pakistan, Dr Arif Alvi, in March 2024.

1st KFBL Book Fair 2024 concludes at Rangoonwala Community Centre

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The two-day book fair, the final event of the 1st Karachi Festival of Books and Libraries (KFBL) 2024, concluded with a simple but graceful closing ceremony at Rangoonwala Community Centre, housed in Dhoraji Society, on the evening of November 28. 

It had been jointly inaugurated by Senator Sarmad Ali, President, Jang Media Group, and Murad Ali Mohmand, Managing Director, National Book Foundation, alongwith cofounders, Aziz Memon and Syed Khalid Mahmood, in a colourful opening function a day earlier. 

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 tastefully decorated their stalls while offering generous discount to the visitors during the book fair. 

As announced publicly, some of the exhibitors, with the support of philanthropists, also provided books and stationery items, absolutely free of cost to the people without asking questions. The book fair remained open to public from 10 30 am to 8 pm on both days. 

The first-ever KFBL, 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.

Jumbo Publishing, NBF set to join hands for book culture promotion

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Jumbo Publishing and National Book Foundation (NBF) have agreed in principle to join hands in the promotion of book culture in the country. The understanding was reached in a high-level meeting held in Karachi on July 24. 

Syed Khalid Mahmood, Chairman, Jumbo Publishing, and co-founder, Karachi Festival of Books and Libraries (KFBL), was engaged in a marathon session with the NBF team, headed by their young and energetic Managing Director, Murad Ali Mohmand. 

Arif Ahmed, Incharge, Audit Section, Munawwar Hussain Narejo, Regional Incharge, Karachi, and Syed Faisal Naveed Ali of Administration department were the other NBF officials having attended the meeting which deliberated on a number of matters pertaining to book culture promotion. 

The NBF functionaries were appreciative of the various initiatives having been undertaken by Jumbo Publishing over the years with special mention of the KFBL which was inaugurated by the President of Pakistan earlier this year. 

The NBF Managing Director, having played a key role in enhancing the image of his organization, pledged to extend maximum possible support to activities aimed at promoting book culture in Pakistan. 

He reckoned that the masses deserved books of high quality at affordable prices in order to develop appetite for reading and bringing about improvement in their lives.

President Dr Arif Alvi inaugurates first-ever Karachi Festival of Books and Libraries, presents lifetime recognition shields

By Iqbal Jamil

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The President of Pakistan, Dr Arif Alvi, inaugurated the Karachi Festival of Books and Libraries (KFBL), the first-ever event of its kind to be held in Pakistan, in a graceful event here at the Sindh Governor House on March 2. 

A large number of librarians, academics, scholars, authors and designers attended the one-hour inauguration and recognition ceremony of the KFBL, being produced by Jumbo Publishing with the collaboration of the English-Speaking Union of Pakistan while the technical assistance is being provided by the Karachi Library Association (KLA). 

President Dr Arif Alvi, who was the chief guest in the ceremony, bestowed upon Lifetime Achievement Recognition mementoes to the famed quintet of Abdul Qadir Qureshi (Journalism), Iqbal Saleh Muhammad (Publishing and Bookselling), Syed Ahmed Naqvi (Librarianship), A G Khalid (Graphic Designing) and Ehsan Qureshi (Sports Authorship), besides presenting shields to Aziz Memon, Jahangir Moghul, Syed Khalid Mahmood and Khalid Mumtaz Ansari for in recognition of library activism. The citations of the five recipients of Lifetime Achievement awards were also shared on the occasion.

The KLA founders, Prof Farheen Mahmood, Prof Shama Bano, Prof Bushra Roohi, Prof Syed Munawwar Ali, Prof Amir Subhani, Nasir Mustafa, Wajid Ali Chandio, Ali Asghar Dars, Rehana Sadiq, Farzana Zafar and Muhammad Younus Hashmi were received mementoes from the President of Pakistan for their overwhelming contributions to librarianship. 

President Dr Arif Alvi wholeheartedly lauded the initiative of holding the KFBL around a time when the nation moved on to undertake new challenges in the age of digital technology and artificial intelligence. 

“We needed such a mega-event, with focus on libraries, to bring people towards books. There’s no doubt about it that libraries symbolize the progress of civilization. Therefore, libraries need to be preserved, protected, promoted, developed, redeveloped and reshaped. As all of you know, there are multiple benefits of reading books which could be most conveniently done by visiting libraries,” he emphasized.

“Events like KFBL can help in filling this vacuum as they plan to make sustainable efforts in this direction. The creation of awareness about the libraries among the masses will enable a larger pool of people to utilize the facilities and the students and professionals in particular will get the opportunity to sharpen their skills by visiting the libraries,” he added. 

The President talked about the much-needed efforts for digitalization of content in order to reach bigger audience and attract the younger generation, who were more inclined to read through their own gadgets. 

Aziz Memon and Syed Khalid Mahmood, the co-founders of the KFBL, also spoke on the occasion alongwith Jahangir Moghul, Past District Governor of Rotary International, and Prof Farheen Mahmood, President, KLA. All of them highlighted the need of having such events on a regular basis to bring about a real change in the lives of the people.

Jumbo Publishing presents first-ever festival of books and libraries in Pakistan

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi 

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The inaugural Karachi Festival of Books & Libraries (KFBL) 2024, the first event of its kind to have been conceived in Pakistan, got underway with its introductory session at the Karachi Press Club (KPC) on January 24. Both the co-founders, Aziz Memon and Syed Khalid Mahmood, were present in the ceremony to unveil the details about the festival. 

Jumbo Publishing, one of the respected names in the industry, is presenting the festival with the collaboration of the English-Speaking Union of Pakistan (ESUP), while the technical assistance is being provided by the Karachi Library Association (KLA) with the Friends of Libraries Pakistan (FLP) arranging for volunteers.

Jahangir Moghul, a renowned entrepreneur and philanthropist, presided over the introduction ceremony which was also addressed by famous writer, Prof Farhat Azeem, poet Dr Shabnam Aman, KLA President, Farheen Mahmood, FLP President, Khalid Mumtaz Ansari and KPC Secretary, Shoaib Ahmed while the vote of thanks was proposed by KLA Secretary General, Nasir Mustafa. 

Starting the journey with the introductory session, the inauguration ceremony of the KFBL is planned to be held in February and activities will continue throughout the year until the Book & Library Fair, scheduled to be organized in November. 

The KFBL will be spread over a diverse set of activities for library professionals, academics, scholars, authors, and students during the year-long event which aims to bring together stakeholders across the board, from librarians and academics to government officers to develop a roadmap for encouraging libraries to become the drawing room of the community and for the readers to emerge as future leaders, in consonance with the spirit of a country that reads, is a country that leads.