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ISLAMABAD, Feb 05 (APP): The Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA) hosted a day-long program of cultural activities on Thursday to mark Kashmir Solidarity Day, drawing a large number of visitors to exhibitions, performances and screenings focused on the region’s people and heritage.
Organized 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.
A photography exhibition in PNCA’s main lobby, which opened on Wednesday and runs through Thursday, featured images documenting human rights violations in daily life, cultural traditions and social conditions in Kashmir.
Ayesha Malik, a university student from Rawalpindi, said the visual format 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 in PNCA traced Kashmir’s history and contemporary situation through archival footage and personal accounts.
Fatima Qureshi, a visitor, 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 program 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, attending with 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 drew applause from an audience that belonged to diverse backgrounds.
The play focused on human stories, families, relationships, and everyday challenges, to give audiences something they could connect with emotionally.
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.
A parallel event in Muzaffarabad featured traditional music and dance performances by the AJK Cultural Academy at the New Prime Minister’s House.
The program showcased regional folk arts, including local drumming traditions and ballads.
“We wanted to create opportunities for people to learn about Kashmir through different mediums—visual art, film, live performance,” said a PNCA representative involved in organizing the events. “Each format offers a different way to understand the issue.”
The Kashmir Solidarity Day program is part of PNCA’s broader mandate to use cultural platforms for public awareness and education on national issues.