Photo Exhibition on Kashmir Solidarity Day Held at Arts Council Karachi

 By: Aziz Khatri

 KARACHI: Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi organized a photo exhibition on Kashmir Solidarity Day on February 5 to highlight alleged human rights violations committed by Indian forces in occupied Jammu and Kashmir. The exhibition was held at Haseena Moin Hall, Arts Council of Pakistan, Karachi.

The exhibition was inaugurated by Mayor Karachi Barrister Murtaza Wahab, along with President Arts Council Muhammad Ahmed Shah. A large number of photographs depicting the hardships and sufferings of the Kashmiri people were displayed. Bashir Sadozai briefed the participants about the background and factual context of the images on display.

Speaking on the occasion, Mayor Karachi Barrister Murtaza Wahab expressed complete solidarity with the people of Kashmir. He said that Pakistan stands firmly with its Kashmiri brothers and sisters and will continue to support their struggle for the right to self-determination, as guaranteed under United Nations resolutions. He added that the late Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto had consistently highlighted the cause of oppressed communities, including the people of Kashmir. The mayor emphasized the need to organize seminars, exhibitions, and awareness programs to counter what he described as negative propaganda by the Modi government, and termed the Kashmir issue a serious humanitarian and international concern requiring a just resolution.

Addressing the gathering, Arts Council President Muhammad Ahmed Shah said that Kashmir holds immense importance for Pakistan and accused the Modi-led government of violating UN resolutions and suppressing the Kashmiri people. He added that, alongside the Palestinian issue, the Kashmir dispute is increasingly gaining global attention. “Our love and solidarity will always remain with the people of Kashmir,” he stated.

Bashir Sadozai said that Pakistan observes Kashmir Solidarity Day every year on February 5 to highlight the ongoing violations of Kashmiri rights. He noted that the day was officially recognized in 1990 during the tenure of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, and since then the nation has remained united in its support for the Kashmiri struggle until the achievement of their right to self-determination. He added that the Arts Council’s initiatives on the Kashmir issue are unprecedented and that the photo exhibition was a practical expression of solidarity with the Kashmiri people.

The exhibition was attended by several political and social figures, including Sardar Zulfiqar Khan (President, PPP Kashmir Chapter, Sindh Zone), Sardar Liaqat (Secretary, KUJ), Sardar Sagheer Advocate (Muslim League leader), Nazir Anjum (PPP leader), Mohammad Asif Abbasi Advocate, and other prominent personalities from various walks of life.