Pakistan Association of Photo Journalists’ (PAPJ) photo exhibition on Kashmir was inaugurated at the Aiwan-e-Iqbal by Azad Kashmir Prime Minister Sardar Attique Ahmed and Pakistan Today Editor Arif Nizami on Sunday. They also penned down their views about the exhibition on a register. Photos of various Kashmiri and Pakistani journalists were displayed in the gallery.
Speaking on the occasion, Prime Minister Attique appreciated the efforts of photo journalists and said that this is a first exhibition of its kind. He said that the photos represented each and every aspect of Kashmir and its society. He said that these types of exhibitions would be helpful for the peace process between India and Pakistan. He said that there was a time when people used to sketch pictures in their dreams but now photo journalists have turned it into a reality.
Prime Minister Attique said that a photo could capture a particular situation for centuries to come. He lauded efforts of the PAPJ and said that selection of the Aiwan-e-Iqbal was a best choice and appreciated the role of the Nizami family for resolution of the Kashmir issue. The Kashmiri leader also highlighted Nawa-e-Waqt founder Hameed Nizami’s efforts for the Kashmir cause. Photos covered the lifestyle, events, miseries and several other aspects of Kashmiris.
They depicted the misery of Kashmiris standing along the Line of Control (LOC) and also showed the natural beauty of Kashmir. Prime Minister Attique urged the PAPJ to polish its skills and stressed upon on the need for an institution to train photo journalists, which could be possible with help of Japan. He asked photo journalists to exhibit the comparative picture of Indian-held Kashmir (IHK) and AJK in order to show the difference to the world. He also thanked Japan for its assistance for photo journalists.
Lahore Press Club President Sarmad Bashir appreciated the talent of photographers, saying that an American journalist told him that the quality of Pakistani photography could be compared with any other country. He said that the AJK PM was son of a great leader, Sardar Abdul Qayyum, and appreciated his efforts for development of AJK especially after the massive earthquake in 2005.
Bashir thanked Atiq for his efforts for welfare of journalists. Members of Faisalabad Photo Journalists’ Association including President Haji Ibrahim and General Secretary Qari Akram were also present on the occasion. Speaking on the occasion, PAPJ President Mujibur Rehman said that it is an honour for him to organise such an exhibition and thanked the AJK PM for his time.
He said that PAPJ was trying to equip photo journalists with modern technology. Rehman said that there is no shortage of talent in the country. Former Azad Kashmir minister Diwan Ghulam Mohaiuddin said that the photos covered most aspects of AJK, which show the talent of photographers. AJK Photo Journalist Sajjad Qayyum and Punjab Union of Journalists (PUJ) Senior Vice President Aamir Sohail also thanked the AJK PM for gracing the exhibition. People from various walks of life also visited the exhibition on the first day and admired the photography.
According to organisers, various imminent personalities would also visit the exhibition in the coming days. The exhibition will continue until May 6. Earlier, Prime Minister Attique and Arif Nizami went through all the photos and appreciated the efforts of photo journalists.
