Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Meets Pakistan Pavilion Team for 61st Venice Biennale 2026

Lahore, February 2, 2026 – Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif today received a delegation from the Pakistan Pavilion team participating in the prestigious 61st Venice Biennale (Biennale Arte 2026), being held in Venice, Italy.

The meeting, held in Lahore, was attended by senior journalist and cultural figure Najam Sethi, renowned Pakistani artist Faiza Butt (who is representing Pakistan), Pavilion Curator Beatriz Cifuentes Feliciano, and Pakistan Pavilion Commissioner Dr. Yaqoob Khan Bangash.
The Pavilion team briefed the Prime Minister on the upcoming exhibition, explaining that Pakistan’s participation will prominently showcase the country’s traditional art, its unique aesthetics, and cultural beauty to a global audience of visitors and tourists. They informed him that the pavilion, titled “Punj•AB – A Sublime Terrain”, will explore the rich cultural landscape of Punjab—a region profoundly shaped by the 1947 Partition.
The team further shared that a series of events and activities will be organized at the Pakistan Pavilion from May to November 2026, aimed at introducing various dimensions of Pakistani culture and art to international audiences.
The delegation highlighted that the Venice Biennale, which began in 1895, is the world’s oldest and one of the most important international platforms for contemporary art, celebrated for its diversity and creative excellence.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif warmly welcomed the team and emphasized the importance of projecting Pakistan’s rich history, cultural heritage, diversity, and inclusivity on the global stage.
He underscored the need to highlight the beauty and pluralistic elements embedded in Pakistani culture and traditions to the world.
The Pakistan Pavilion team also extended a formal invitation to the Prime Minister for the inauguration of the pavilion.
Pakistan is participating for the second time in the Venice Biennale with a national pavilion, following its debut in 2019.