Lahore: The opening ceremony of TAAKRA 2026 ushered in a new chapter of competitive events, as the prestigious gathering welcomed over 4,200 participants from more than 200 institutions. Among the attendees were 700 students from the University of Central Punjab (UCP), marking their inaugural participation in the event. The participants are set to compete across 22 categories in a total of 64 competitions.

According to University of Central Punjab, the ceremony featured opening remarks from Ms. Aqsa Sarfraz, Deputy Director of Student Affairs, followed by keynote addresses from Dr. Hammad Naveed, Pro-Rector, and Muhammad Yaqoob, Provost. The event was witnessed by deans and directors, underscoring the importance of institutional support. Recognition was given to event heads and campus ambassadors for their contributions. The ceremony concluded with a trophy reveal and a ceremonial cake cutting, symbolizing the commencement of the event's competitive journey.