RAWALPINDI: Rare photographs of the Pakistan Movement went up at the Rawalpindi Arts Council (RAC) on Saturday in connection with Independence Day celebrations.

The photography exhibition was inaugurated by Assistant Commissioner (Cantonment) Umer Shirazi and visited by a number of people, including students.

More than a hundred photographs have been exhibited depicting the struggle of Muslims from the Indian subcontinent for independence under British rule.

The pictures began from the 1857 War of Independence and then follow the formation of the All India Pakistan Muslim League and the Pakistan Movement.

Photographs depict Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, Allama Mohammad Iqbal, Liaquat Ali Khan and others during visits to parts of India and during public meetings and rallies.

In other photographs, Jinnah is engaged in discussions with Gandhi, Johar Lal Nehru and Sikh leaders, as well as meeting with British authorities.

There are also photographs of people who migrated from India to Pakistan after 1947, highlighting the circumstances in which they migrated and their suffering.

Speaking at the inauguration of the exhibition, Mr Sherazi said Pakistan was the result of sacrifices by our ancestors and the visionary leadership of Jinnah. He said every Pakistani should think of the country first and participate in its progress and prosperity.

RAC Director Waqar Ahmed said these rare photographs had revealed how Pakistan was achieved after great struggle.

He said Jinnah’s message was that of hard work, and he had succeeded in achieving a separate homeland for the Muslims of the subcontinent by adhering to this philosophy.

Jinnah laid out the principles of unity, faith and disciple for the nation to make headway on the path to progress and development, he said.

Mr Ahmed announced that the RAC would hold a cultural show on Aug 12, a ghazal night featuring Munni Begum on Aug 13 and a musical gala on Aug 14. A Jashan-i-Azadi Mela will also be held from Aug 12 to 14.

The RAC also held a musical night variety show on Friday as part of its Independence Day events. Musicians including Raj Marwat, Khawaja Naseer, Mohsin Pasha, Khurram Zeeshan, Azhar Awan and Shafq Band enthralled the audience that had gathered in the council’s auditorium.

The show was anchored by Masood Khawaja and Noor Ali, while Yar Mohammad, Waheed Minhas, Sapna Shah and Naeem Bubba performed skits.

Published in Dawn, August 12th, 2018