Art, culture mark Kashmir Solidarity Day

The Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA) hosted a day-long programme on Thursday to mark Kashmir Solidarity Day. The event included various cultural activities, exhibitions, performances and screenings focused on Kashmir's people and heritage.

Organised in collaboration with the Ministry of Kashmir Affairs, Gilgit-Baltistan and States and Frontier Regions, the events aimed to highlight Kashmir's cultural narrative alongside Pakistan's political support for the cause.

Among the featured segments of the event, was a photography exhibition in PNCA's main lobby, which opened on Wednesday and ran through Thursday, featured images documenting human rights violations in daily life, cultural traditions and social conditions in Kashmir.

A university student from Rawalpindi, Ayesha Malik, said the visual format of the photography exhibition made the issue more relatable. "Reading about it is one thing, but seeing actual photographs of people and places gives you a different perspective," she said while viewing the exhibition. "These events remind people that Kashmir has a rich cultural heritage beyond the political dimension," she said.

Mohammad Aslam, who brought his grandson to the event, said he wanted the younger generation to understand the significance of the day. "It's important they know this isn't just a holiday but about real people and their struggles," he said. The exhibition included work by renowned photographers capturing landscapes, cultural events and community life.

A documentary screening further highlighted Kashmir's history and contemporary situation through archival footage and personal accounts. A visitor, Fatima Qureshi, noted the documentary's focus on ordinary Kashmiris. "It presented the human side of the issue, which often gets lost in political discussions," she said.

The programme also included a puppet show for schoolchildren that used traditional puppetry to convey themes of peace and resilience. The performance proved popular with young audiences, many of whom were experiencing puppetry for the first time. Teacher Sadia Rehman, who was attending alongside her third-grade class, appreciated the age-appropriate approach. "It introduces complex themes in a way children can understand and remember," she said.

The afternoon's main event was "Laho Rang-e-Kashmir," a theatrical production depicting individual and family experiences against the backdrop of Kashmir's recent history. The play focused on human stories, families, relationships and everyday challenges to give audiences something they could connect with emotionally. It was received by applause from an audience that belonged to diverse backgrounds. Bilal Ahmed, a theatre student, praised the production's balanced approach. "They didn't oversimplify things. The characters felt genuine, which made it more impactful," he said.

Citizens rally for Kashmiris

On the occasion of Kashmir Solidarity Day, nine protest rallies, walks, seminars, stage dramas and tableaux were organised in Rawalpindi to express solidarity with Kashmiri freedom fighters and the Kashmiri people, and to protest Indian atrocities.

An exhibition of photographs depicting 78 years of oppression by Indian forces in occupied Kashmir was held at the Rawalpindi Arts Council, where effigies of Indian officials were also burnt.

Participants demanded the release of detained Kashmiri leaders, including Kashmiri leader Yasin Malik, and declared that Kashmir is Pakistan's jugular vein.

They called for continued diplomatic, moral and political support for Kashmiris at all levels. A complete public holiday was observed in Rawalpindi and Islamabad, with offices, schools and wholesale medicine markets remaining closed.

The central Solidarity Day ceremony was held at Government Viqar-un-Nisa Girls College, where Deputy Commissioner Hassan Waqar Cheema was the chief guest.

A one-minute silence was observed to express solidarity with Kashmiris, followed by the national anthem.