LAHORE, Sept 25: An exhibition of photographs on Afghanistan by Edward Grazda - Steps to Independence: Afghanistan, 1992-2004 - opened at Rohtas 2 (156-G, Model Town) on Saturday.

Grazda has been photographing Afghanistan since 1980. The photographs being displayed at the exhibition cover the period from the Mujahideen victory in 1992 to the constitutional Loya Jirga in 2003-04.

The artist observed the deterioration of the once proud city of Kabul, the terrible toll taken by the infighting among the Mujahideen and the sadness of the Taliban regime.

Grazda came back to Kabul in 2001, photographed at Tora Bora, and observed the installation of Karzai as interim President of the war-torn nation.

The exhibition is an important social document as well as personal statement by a photographer of repute. It is eventually a tribute to the proud spirit of an indomitable people.

On his work in Afghanistan, Grazda says: "It was March 1980 and many refugees were starting to enter Pakistan. The travellers said there might be some interesting pictures to be made around Peshawar. I took the train to Amritsar, a taxi to the Wagah border and crossed into Pakistan. The flying coach took me to Peshawar. A day or two later, I took a bus through the Khyber Pass to Torkham. Many refugees were entering Pakistan. Afghan army troops were sitting on the other side of the fence, looking unhappy. As a young photographer, my eyes were on fire - so many interesting subjects. Using Peshawar as a base I visited a number of new camps that were being set up for the Afghans.

"I was very impressed and moved by the Afghans that I met - I had never encountered such proud, generous and handsome people. They wanted to be photographed and wanted me to tell the world what was happening to their beloved country.

"Little did I suspect that this first trip would be the beginning of a 25-year relationship with Afghanistan and its people."