The Punjab Arts Council (PAC) organised a photo exhibition and walk to commemorate Kashmir Solidarity Day.
The event was marked by a flag hoisting ceremony in which the flags of Pakistan and Azad Kashmir were raised as a demonstration of Kashmiri’s strength and resilience. This was then followed by observing a minute’s silence to honour the oppressed Kashmiris living in occupied territory.
The exhibition also featured performances such as tableaus, speeches and Kashmiri song competitions which were organised with the support of the All Pakistan Private Schools Management Association.
The General Secretary of All Party Hurriyat Conference Azad Kashmir Pakistan Chapter, Sheikh Abdul Mateen, was present at the event alongside the chapter’s Information Secretary, Imtiaz Wani. Sheikh Abdul Mateen said on the occasion “The worst kind of atrocities in Occupied Kashmir have exposed the real face of India in front of the whole world. Such atrocities are rarely found in human history. The anti-Kashmir cruel policies of the Hindutva government of India, however, have not changed the reality of Kashmir.”
He further said that the dream of world peace can never be fulfilled without the freedom of Occupied Kashmir. “Till today millions of Kashmiris have sacrificed their lives for freedom and the only demand of Kashmiris is that they should be given the right of self-determination.”
Read: Joint sitting expresses solidarity with Kashmiris
Imtiaz Wani reinforced his companion’s points by adding that “The entire humanity is ashamed of Indian atrocities against the Kashmiri people, and it is a disgraceful stain on human history and conscience, so every Pakistani and every peaceful person in the world should raise their voice for the Kashmiri people’s right of self-determination. The Muslim Ummah and the United Nations should play their role in resolving the Kashmir issue.”
Director of Arts Council Waqar Ahmed, who was also present at the exhibition, said that Pakistan has always strongly supported the right of self-determination of Kashmiris at the political, moral and diplomatic level.
“It is Pakistan's principled position that the Kashmir issue should be resolved according to the wishes of the Kashmiri people under the UN resolutions,” he said.
The exhibition displayed photos related to Kashmiri history and culture and the performances celebrated the people of Kashmir. The song competition allowed young students a chance to learn about Kashmir and express their solidarity with its people.
Among the winners of the competitions, Eagle Public School won first position in the tableau performances, Ames School System got second position, Alfarooq Public School got third position and Green Valley School came fourth place. As for the speech competition, Masooma, Tahnia Abid, Sahar Fatima and Sair secured first, second, third and fourth positions respectively. In the Kashmiri song competition, Miva came first, Shayan came second, Ayesha came third and Iman Fatima came fourth.
A large number of people from the twin cities participated in the Kashmir Solidarity Day rally which happened on the same day.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 4th 2024.
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