LAHORE: The 98th Pakistan Learning Festival (PLF) is set to take place at the Civil Services Academy on April 21-22, 2026, with organisers positioning it as one of the country’s largest and most inclusive platforms for experiential learning.
Co-hosted by the Civil Services Academy, the festival will mark the beginning of the new academic cycle under the theme “Learning for Peace and Sustainability,” aimed at embedding values of tolerance, empathy and environmental stewardship in education systems through participatory and creative approaches.
The event is expected to draw a wide cross section of participants, including students, teachers, families, policymakers, civil society organisations and development partners. The organisers have extended invitations to government departments, international NGOs and private sector stakeholders to present innovations and practical solutions aligned with the festival’s core themes.
The inaugural ceremony will be held on April 21 at the Iqbal Auditorium of the Civil Services Academy, where senior officials, educationists and partners are expected to attend. Organisers described the opening session as a platform to reaffirm commitments to equitable and transformative learning in Pakistan.
The PLF Lahore 2026 programme has been structured around 16 to 17 thematic strands designed as an “inclusive equaliser,” enabling participation across diverse learning backgrounds. Activities will range from early childhood and foundational learning sessions to advanced engagements in STEM, robotics, digital literacy and artificial intelligence, reflecting a strong emphasis on future ready skills.
A major component of the festival will focus on climate awareness and sustainability, with dedicated sessions on food security, environmental challenges and community led responses. Literary and cultural engagement will also feature prominently, including storytelling sessions, book launches, reading corners and a book fair. Creative writing and poetry forums will encourage young voices to reflect on themes of peace and coexistence, while open mic sessions inspired by the iconic phrase “Bol Kay Lab Azad Hain Teray” will offer space for free expression.
The performing arts segment will include theatre, music and puppetry, alongside arts and crafts installations and interactive stalls designed to make learning accessible and engaging. Students and teachers will be able to present projects, models and performances, linking classroom knowledge with real world challenges. Organisers emphasised that the festival remains open and free to all, with a deliberate focus on inclusivity across public, private and non formal education systems, as well as meaningful participation of children with disabilities.
