LAHORE, May 27: The second national photography exhibition-cum-competition opened at Alhamra Art Centre on The Mall on Monday.

Caretaker Chief Minister Najam Sethi inaugurated the exhibition, which has been organised by the Photographic Art Society of Pakistan in collaboration with the Lahore Arts Council.

As many as 84 artists have put some 250 photographs on display at the event. Since the exhibition was also a competition, 25 artists were given cash prizes and awards for best pictures.

The jury consisted of photographers Syed Nayyer Raza, Saleem Khawar and Razak Vance. Azhar Ali Chaudhry won the first prize, Irfan Mirza second and Agha Waseem Ahmed third. They were awarded Rs20,000, Rs10,000 and Rs5,000 cash prizes with certificates, respectively.

Hamida Khattri and Muhammad Amjad Sadiq too stood third and were given Rs5,000 each.

On the occasion, Tabish Nayeemi, Razaq Vance, Saleem Khawar, Nayyer Raza and Salim-ur-Rehman’s photographs were shown through a slideshow. Also, Administrator’s Choice Award was given to eight artists with cash prize of Rs2,000 each. Sethi awarded the winners cash prizes and certificates.Speaking on the occasion earlier, the chief minister announced Rs1.5 million for the Photographic Art Society to help it promote photography. He announced Rs1 million for purchase of photographs by top photographers of the country for Punjab government offices. He said art was not promoted as it should have been. He said photographs depicting Pakistan and skill of Pakistani photographers should be given to foreign dignitaries instead of ceremonial gifts.

Lahore Arts Council Board of Governors Chairman Attaul Haq Qasmi also spoke.

The exhibition will continue for 12 days.