RAWALPINDI: A three-day online exhibition of rare photographs of Tehreek-i-Pakistan ‘Journey of Hope’ (Umeed ka Safar) began at Rawalpindi Arts Council (RAC) on Wednesday.

The exhibition has showcased the struggle of Muslims of Indian Sub-continent for the separate country under the leadership of Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah.

The exhibition was inaugurated at art gallery of Rawalpindi Arts Council by Pakistan Green Task Force chairman Dr Jamal Nasir.

The function was attended by Rawalpindi Arts Council Director Waqar Ahmad, Naheed Jamal, Deputy Director Sajjad Hussain and Pir Azmatullah.

Local artists and art students participated while maintaining social distancing.

The exhibition is online on the council’s YouTube channel and Facebook until August 14.

The pictures of public meetings of Tehreek-i-Pakistan leaders, problems of the people who migrated from India to Pakistan in 1947 and Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah,

Allama Mohammad Iqbal, Maulana Muhammad Ali Johar and other leaders were put on display.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Jamal Nasir said the collection of rare photographs of Tehreek-i-Pakistan leaders and migration at one place and presenting them to the public is a testament to the national service of the Rawalpindi Arts Council.

He said that Arts Council has always played a significant role in national days and has given an opportunity to local artists to express their love for the country through their art.

He said that the difficulties of the people of Occupied Kashmir have been reminded of the difficulties of migration.

“During the migration, entire trains were looted, women were raped and families killed,” he said.

He said that his whole family came to Pakistan with everything lying down. Before migration, we had a luxurious life but later we lived a life of economic difficulties.

He said that the country established after the sacrifices of millions of people would overcome all challenges and we will strive for the survival and development of the country till the last drop of blood.

Rawalpindi Arts Council Director Waqar Ahmed said all the works of art to be presented in connection with the Independence Day celebrations contain references to the plight of the Kashmiri people which is a testament to the sincere commitment of the Pakistani people and artists to the Kashmiri people.

He said the basic aim of the exhibition of photographs was to inform the new generation that we got the motherland with difficulties and it was the duty of the young generation to work hard for the prosperity of the country.

Published in Dawn, August 13th, 2020