Bishkek: Lahore has been designated the Tourism and Cultural Capital of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) from 2026 to 2027, placing Pakistan’s historic cultural centre at the heart of the bloc’s efforts to strengthen tourism and people to people connections.
The announcement was made during the 26th meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of State in Bishkek, attended by Shehbaz Sharif, the Prime Minister of Pakistan.
The designation comes as Pakistan holds the rotating SCO presidency, with its chairmanship centred on the theme, “Turning Vision into Action: Connectivity, Innovation and Shared Prosperity.”
The SCO has awarded the Tourism and Cultural Capital title on a rotating basis since 2022. The initiative seeks to showcase cities that reflect the cultural heritage of the country holding the organisation’s rotating presidency while encouraging greater interaction among member states.
Lahore, the capital of Punjab province, is Pakistan's second largest city and a major cultural, historical, and educational hub, often called the "Heart of Pakistan."
With a history spanning over a millennium, Lahore has been the capital of several empires, including the Ghaznavid and Mughal dynasties, and is renowned for Mughal architecture, such as the Lahore Fort, Shalimar Gardens, and the Badshahi Mosque.
The city is also a vibrant centre for literature, arts, and education, hosting prestigious institutions like the University of the Punjab and several renowned museums.
Lahore's bustling markets, rich cuisine, Sufi shrines, and annual cultural festivals make it both a historical treasure and a dynamic modern metropolis, reflecting a blend of ancient heritage and contemporary life.
Previous cities to receive the designation include Varanasi, India from 2022 to 2023, Almaty, Kazakhstan from 2023 to 2024, Qingdao, China from 2024 to 2025, and Cholpon Ata, Kyrgyzstan from 2025 to 2026.
The decision to select Lahore was reached in April 2026, when the heads of tourism administrations from SCO member states convened in Bishkek.
The designation is expected to provide an additional avenue for promoting tourism, cultural exchanges and people to people contacts among SCO countries, while giving Lahore greater visibility as a destination for regional and international visitors.
For Pakistan, the recognition also offers an opportunity to use Lahore’s cultural heritage as a bridge for deeper engagement with the diverse societies that make up the SCO.
