Organisers of the World Book Fair on Saturday expressed their shock at the dismal presence of Pakistani publishers at the week-long event. Pakistan’s state-run National Book Foundation (NBF) had decided to skip the fair while scores of private Pakistani publishers had been denied visas to attend the event. So far, only four Pakistani publishers have set up their stalls, with other leading publishers, including Sheikh Mubarak of Lahore, still to exhibit their books

IBNA: According to Daily Times, professor Bipin Chandra, chairman of India’s National Book Trust (NBT), which had organised the Fair, told Daily Times that he was dismayed at the non-participation of Pakistani publishers. “The NBF informed us only two-days ago that they (Pakistani publishers) would be unable to participate in the fair,” he said. He said that scores of other publishers who had booked their stalls were still waiting to get their visas from the Indian High Commission in Islamabad.

“We are receiving calls from Pakistani publishers, who want to come here, but have not been issued visas. However, government officials say they are ready to issue the visas,” he said. Noted Historian, Professor Chandra, said there seemed to be a mix up, as government officials and publishers were making contradicting claims. After inaugurating the fair, India’s Minister for Human Resource Development Kapil Sibal said restrictions should not be put on the publishing sector

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