PIA Planetarium, Lahore
| PIA Planetarium, Lahore | |
|---|---|
Interactive map of the PIA Planetarium, Lahore area | |
General information | |
| Type | Planetarium |
| Location | Near Chauburji, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan |
Completed | 1987 |
| Owner | Pakistan International Airlines |
| Operator | Pakistan International Airlines |
The PIA Planetarium, Lahore is a planetarium near Chauburji in Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan. It is operated by Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and was inaugurated in 1987 as the airline's second planetarium in Pakistan, after the Karachi planetarium.[1][2] The complex includes a domed projection hall and a static aircraft display.[1]
Site and facilities
The planetarium is near Chauburji in central Lahore.[3][2] The complex occupied 24 kanals of land held by the University of the Punjab.[4] It has a combination of 220 projectors rather than a conventional film screening.[4] In addition to the dome building, the complex has included a static aircraft and an observatory for visitors.[1]
History
PIA opened the Lahore planetarium in 1987, three years after the establishment of the Karachi planetarium in 1984.[1][5] By 2004, one of four German-imported planetarium units procured by PIA had been installed at Lahore.[6]
By the late 2000s, the planetarium was facing financial and maintenance problems buy still served school and college students.[4][1] In 2012, an educational show at the planetarium was included in a PIA-arranged visit for critically ill children associated with the Make-A-Wish Foundation.[7]
By the late 2010s and 2020s, it was increasingly being used for cultural events beyond its original educational role. It was also used by the Lahore Biennale Foundation as a venue for the Lahore Biennale.[3] In 2025, a music event titled Mission CTRL was held at the PIA Planetarium.[8]
See also
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 "Paucity of funds hits PIA Planetarium". The Nation. 7 September 2011. Retrieved 12 April 2026.
- 1 2 "PIA Planetarium suffering from neglect". The Nation. 9 August 2009. Retrieved 12 April 2026.
- 1 2 "PIA Planetarium". Lahore Biennale Foundation. Retrieved 12 April 2026.
- 1 2 3 "PIA Planetarium imparts errorless knowledge". The Nation. 19 October 2010. Retrieved 12 April 2026.
- ↑ Khan, Ismail (11 November 2012). "PIA builds a planetarium and then forgets about it". Dawn. Retrieved 12 April 2026.
- ↑ "Planetarium equipment dumped to rot". Dawn. 9 August 2004. Retrieved 12 April 2026.
- ↑ "PIA grants wish of 5 seriously ill children". The Express Tribune. 4 January 2012. Retrieved 12 April 2026.
- ↑ Khan, Shahmeer (25 August 2025). "Mission CTRL's performers ready to electrify Lahore while raising funds for flood survivors". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 12 April 2026.