Faiz, Iqbal to give a slip to Delhi

Pakistan's National Book Foundation to abstain from New Delhi World Book Fair

Iqbal, Faiz Ahmed Faiz, Ahmad Faraz. These names are as common to New Delhi as they are to Lahore or Karachi. No wonder, whenever and wherever, Indian book connoisseurs get an opportunity to interact with them on the pages of an old book or at a book fair, they grab the opportunity with both hands.

However, all such people are in for a big disappointment this year as Pakistan's National Book Foundation has excused itself from participating in New Delhi World Book Fair at Pragati Maidan, commencing Saturday.

"We are not aware of the reasons behind the decision," Nuzhat Hasan, Director, National Book Trust, said. The National Book Trust organises the fair. This year the theme of the fair is is 'Reading our Commonwealth: An International Rights Exhibition of Books on Sports', as Delhi is also hosting the Commonwealth Games this year.

Seven hundred titles by around 75 publishers from across the country on different genres of sports are to be exhibited at the theme pavilion. There will be a special exhibition of books on and by country's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru at the week-long fair.