BANNU: In a rare and inspiring cultural moment, the city of Bannu in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province witnessed its first-ever two-day book fair, organised by local youth and supported by the district administration. The event, held on June 16 and 17, drew wide participation, including women attending in veils, marking a significant moment for public female participation in the region.
The fair was organised by the Bannu Division Students Forum in collaboration with local authorities and held opposite the City Auditorium Ground. Over 40 book stalls were set up, featuring a diverse range of literature, including history, philosophy, poetry, fiction, and religious texts.
What made the event particularly historic was the visible participation of women, which locals say is a first for Bannu in such a public setting. Women attending the fair wore traditional veils, while maintaining cultural modesty, did not stop them from actively engaging with books and vendors.
Despite limited resources, the students and young organisers handled logistics, including accommodation and meals for visiting booksellers from cities such as Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and Lakki Marwat. The district administration supported the initiative by providing logistical help and officially inaugurated the fair.
Visitors described the fair as a refreshing change from the prevailing social environment, with attendees appreciating the opportunity to access books locally. For many, it was their first time engaging with such a wide variety of literature. Vendors reported strong interest in books on history, Urdu literature, and poetry.
The success of this event has sparked calls for making it an annual feature, with community leaders and participants emphasising the need to support such youth-led cultural efforts. “This was more than a book fair,” Salman concluded. “It was a declaration — that Bannu’s youth want knowledge, progress, and peace.”
