‘Pakistan’s Participation in Kolkata Book Fair Appears Slim’

Kolkata: Amid the escalating Indo-Pak tension, Pakistan is unlikely to make its debut at the International Kolkata Book Fair (IKBF), an official from the organising committee said here on Tuesday. “Owing to the current state of Indo-Pak relations, I don’t think publishers from Pakistan will participate in the book fair,” secretary of the Publishers and Booksellers Guild Tridib Chatterjee told IANS over phone.

As six publishers had shown interest in the invitations sent by the organiser, the organisers had also written to Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on November 28 to ensure the country’s participation for the first time in the history of the book fair. “We had written to Mr Khan but have not received any reply. We really don’t know anything as they are not taking our phone calls either.” He also mentioned that Pakistan’s participation will be possible only after the Central government takes initiatives. The publishers who were expected to come have not got their visas yet. (IANS)

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