LAHORE: Pakistan's largest book fair, a three-day event organized by Punjab University, commenced on Thursday, aiming to promote reading habits among the youth in a digital age where screen use dominates. Provincial Minister Malik Faisal Ayub Khokhar emphasized the importance of encouraging young people to reconnect with books, highlighting the challenges posed by modern technology.

According to University of the Punjab, the event features over 114 stalls offering books from renowned publishers across the country at discounted prices. The book fair, held in the corridor of Faisal Auditorium at the university's New Campus, is open from October 15 to 17, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. The fair not only focuses on book sales but also showcases student startups and innovative ideas, fostering creativity and entrepreneurship among young attendees. Last year, approximately 175,000 books were sold, indicating a strong interest in literature and education. A similar turnout of students, educators, and literature enthusiasts is anticipated this year.