LAHORE: Punjab Council of the Arts is actively promoting cultural diversity, literary dialogue, and artistic expression through a wide range of major events currently underway or scheduled across different cities of the province during the current month.

Executive Director Punjab Council of the Arts, Mahboob Alam Chaudhry, stated that these initiatives aim to strengthen cultural roots, promote literary awareness, and actively engage youth in constructive cultural activities across Punjab.

The Sahiwal Arts Council is hosting the Sahiwal International Literary and Cultural Festival, bringing together renowned writers, poets, scholars, artists, and cultural practitioners from across the country. The festival features literary sessions, panel discussions, book launches, cultural performances, and exhibitions, highlighting the region’s rich intellectual and cultural heritage.

At the Sargodha Arts Council, preparations are underway for the Citrus Festival, celebrating Sargodha’s identity as Pakistan’s citrus hub. The festival aims to promote local agriculture, agribusiness, and cultural traditions through exhibitions, seminars, folk performances, and displays of citrus-based products.

The Sheikhupura Arts Council is commemorating International Mother Language Day, emphasising linguistic diversity and the preservation of native languages through poetry recitations, speeches, and cultural performances in regional languages.

The Rawalpindi Arts Council is hosting painting exhibitions, showcasing the creative works of emerging and established artists and providing a platform for visual expression and contemporary artistic discourse.

In Bahawalpur, a literary and academic session titled “Islamic Geometry: Spiritual Order and Civilisational Beauty” is being organised, focusing on the spiritual, philosophical, and aesthetic dimensions of Islamic geometric art and its civilisational impact.

The Faisalabad Arts Council is organising the Muneer Niazi Literary Festival, paying tribute to the legendary poet and intellectual. The festival includes scholarly discussions, poetry readings, and critical analyses of Muneer Niazi’s literary contributions and enduring influence on Urdu literature.

Meanwhile, the Multan Arts Council is celebrating the life and works of renowned poet Assad Areeb in south Punjab. The event highlights his poetic legacy through readings, discussions, and cultural presentations, recognising his contribution to regional and national literature.

In addition, Adbi Bethaks have been opened not only at arts councils across the province but also at the Head Office, where regular literary sittings are held on Fridays. Young writers, poets, and students are especially invited and encouraged to participate, fostering creative expression, intellectual exchange, and mentorship.

Published in Dawn, February 19th, 2026