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ISLAMABAD, Jan 26 (APP):The Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA) on Monday hosted the inauguration of ‘Kashmir: Wait and See’, a compelling book launch and photo exhibition by internationally acclaimed Belgian documentary photographer and filmmaker Cedric Gerbehaye, drawing diplomats, artists, scholars, and students into a powerful visual dialogue on memory, human rights, and the human condition.
Organized by the Pakistan Photo Festival (PPF) in collaboration with PNCA and Kashmir Council EU, the exhibition reflects a shared commitment to visual storytelling, cross-cultural engagement, and the transformative power of documentary photography.
The opening ceremony was attended by the Ambassador of the European Union to Pakistan, senior government officials, parliamentarians, diplomats, cultural practitioners, photographers, and a large number of students and researchers.
Speakers underscored the importance of photography as a bridge between societies and as a medium that preserves histories often left outside conventional narratives. The ceremony concluded with a guided walk through, offering visitors deeper insight into the stories and processes behind the images.
Through long-term photographic narratives, ‘Kashmir:Wait and See’ explores layered themes of displacement, resilience, memory, and identity, presenting Kashmir not merely as a geographical space but as a lived human reality.
Gerbehaye’s work invites viewers to pause, observe, and reflect-encouraging “waiting” as an act of understanding rather than assumption.
Cedric Gerbehaye is the author of several internationally recognized publications, including Congo in Limbo, Land of Cush, D’entre eux, and ZOONOSE.
A recipient of prestigious honors such as the World Press Photo Award and the Amnesty International Media Award, his work has been widely exhibited and is held in major museum collections across the world.
Founded in 2016 by Shah Zaman Baloch, the Pakistan Photo Festival has played a pivotal role in promoting photographic culture in Pakistan and South Asia through exhibitions, workshops, fellowships, and mentorship initiatives.
Kashmir Council EU, an independent NGO, continues to work toward raising global awareness on Kashmir while promoting peace, dialogue, and stability through advocacy and cultural platforms.
The exhibition is open to the public at PNCA until January 28, offering audiences a rare opportunity to engage with photography as a profound tool for understanding complex histories and nurturing meaningful cultural dialogue.