The Karachi International Book & Ed-Tech Fair (KIBTF) 2026 concluded on a highly successful note, marked by unprecedented public participation, record-breaking book sales, and the signing of multi-billion rupee agreements aimed at revolutionizing Pakistan’s education sector.
Over 400,000 visitors attended the three-day mega event, with more than 600,000 books sold, reflecting a growing culture of reading and learning. A major highlight of the fair was the participation of 50,000 students in Robo Sports, showcasing innovation and enthusiasm for emerging technologies.
To align Pakistan’s education system with modern global standards, M-Tech Systems announced a Rs. 5 billion interest-free financing program to support the installation of digital classrooms across schools. Additionally, robotics, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and STEM laboratories will be established in over 170 schools at an estimated cost of Rs. 700 million.
In a significant move to promote reading nationwide, a collaboration between the National Library Association and Orbit Advertising has set an ambitious Rs. 1 billion book sales target.
Key announcements during the event included:
- Hosting of the Pakistan All Inclusive Education Summit in Karachi in collaboration with DEWA Academy
- Launch of the Urdu Academy’s Learning Management System (LMS)
- Annual national certification of 10,000 teachers
- Development of the first comprehensive Pakistan Education Index Report
The event featured 30 specialized sessions covering critical topics such as the future of classrooms and libraries, artificial intelligence, STEM education, Ed-Tech innovations, startups, inclusive education, autism awareness, digital journalism, publishing, and the role of Urdu Bazaar in literary culture.
Prominent attendees included Provincial Minister for Information Technology Ali Rashid, Organizer Ali K. Chishti, Dr. Saad Aziz, Owais Siddiqui, Sajjad Rizvi, Naveed Abbas Adenwalla, and Wajid Raza Isfahani, along with numerous distinguished figures from the education, media, and corporate sectors.
The event also honored outstanding contributions to education through Lifetime Achievement Awards, presented to:
- Aziz Khalid
- Ameena Saiyid
- Father Mario Rodrigues
- Late Khalid Shah (Tariq Shah)
Other award recipients included Syed Mohammad Askari, Syed Safdar Abbas Rizvi, Rizwan Ahmed Lodhi, Rafeea Mallah, Waqar Mateen, Behroze Noorani, Nasir Zaidi, Anwar Ali Bhatti, Syed Muzaffar Ali, Anees Sheikh, and Umair Saeed.
At the closing ceremony, organizers announced that, following the extraordinary success of KIBTF 2026, the event will now be held annually, establishing it as a cornerstone platform for educational advancement and innovation in Pakistan.
