Belgian photographer unveils Kashmir series

Photo exhibit by Cédric Gerbehaye explores memory, human rights & condition

ISLAMABAD:

The book launch and photo exhibition "Kashmir. Wait & See", by renowned Belgian documentary photographer and filmmaker Cédric Gerbehaye, was inaugurated on Tuesday at the Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA).

The exhibition has been organised by the Pakistan Photo Festival (PPF) in collaboration with PNCA and the Kashmir Council EU, underscoring a shared commitment to visual storytelling, dialogue and cross-cultural exchange.

The opening ceremony was attended by the Ambassador of the European Union to Pakistan, Tahira Aurangzeb, Farah Naz, Parliamentary Secretary, Asad Rehman Gilani, Secretary of the National Heritage and Culture Division (NH&CD), M Ayoub Jamali, Director General PNCA, along with diplomats, senior bureaucrats, artists, photographers, photojournalists, and a large number of students, researchers and members of the public. The programme featured remarks by the organisers and curator, followed by a guided walkthrough of the exhibition.

Kashmir. Wait & See explores themes of human rights, memory and the human condition through long-term photographic narratives. Cédric Gerbehaye is the author of several critically acclaimed publications, including Congo in Limbo, Land of Cush, D'entre eux and ZOONOSE.

He is a recipient of prestigious international honours such as the World Press Photo Award and the Amnesty International Media Award. His work has been widely published and forms part of major museum collections across the world.

Founded in 2016 by Shah Zaman Baloch, the Pakistan Photo Festival (PPF) promotes photographic culture in Pakistan and South Asia through exhibitions, workshops, fellowships and mentorship programmes.

The Kashmir Council EU is an independent non-governmental organisation dedicated to raising awareness about Kashmir and promoting dialogue for peace and stability through advocacy and cultural initiatives.

The exhibition is open to the public at PNCA, offering audiences an opportunity to engage with photography as a powerful medium for understanding complex histories and fostering meaningful cultural dialogue.