Lahore: Pakistan's largest book fair was inaugurated by Punjab Minister for Sports, Malik Faisal Ayub Khokhar, at the Punjab University New Campus on Thursday. The three-day event, which aims to promote literacy and student entrepreneurship, features more than 114 stalls from renowned publishers and student-led start-ups.

According to Sports Board Punjab, the inauguration was attended by Punjab University Vice Chancellor Dr. Muhammad Ali, alongside many faculty members and students. The minister expressed his surprise at the event's scale and vibrancy, and lauded the promotion of student start-ups. He emphasized the importance of reading in an age increasingly dominated by digital technology, noting the potential benefits and drawbacks of artificial intelligence.

The minister highlighted concerns about the younger generation's growing detachment from books, suggesting that events like the book fair could help address these challenges. Attendees were informed that books are offered at discounted rates to stimulate reading interest among students and visitors. Last year, the event sold 175,000 books, indicating significant public engagement. The fair remains open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.