ISLAMABAD
\nThe 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\u2019s people and heritage.
\nOrganized in collaboration with the Ministry of Kashmir Affairs, Gilgit-Baltistan and States and Frontier Regions, the events aimed to highlight Kashmir\u2019s cultural narrative alongside Pakistan\u2019s political support for the cause. A photography exhibition in PNCA\u2019s 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.
\nAyesha Malik, a university student from Rawalpindi, said the visual format made the issue more relatable. \u201cReading about it is one thing, but seeing actual photographs of people and places gives you a different perspective,\u201d she said while viewing the exhibition. \u201cThese events remind people that Kashmir has a rich cultural heritage beyond the political dimension,\u201d she said.
\nMohammad Aslam, who brought his grandson to the event, said he wanted the younger generation to understand the significance of the day. \u201cIt\u2019s important they know this isn\u2019t just a holiday but about real people and their struggles,\u201d he said. The exhibition included work by renowned photographers capturing landscapes, cultural events and community life.
\nA documentary screening in PNCA traced Kashmir\u2019s history and contemporary situation through archival footage and personal accounts. Fatima Qureshi, a visitor, noted the documentary\u2019s focus on ordinary Kashmiris. \u201cIt presented the human side of the issue, which often gets lost in political discussions,\u201d she said. The program also included a puppet show for schoolchildren that used traditional puppetry to convey themes of peace and resilience.
\nThe 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. \u201cIt introduces complex themes in a way children can understand and remember,\u201d she said.
\nThe afternoon\u2019s main event was \u201cLaho Rang-e-Kashmir,\u201d a theatrical production depicting individual and family experiences against the backdrop of Kashmir\u2019s 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.
\nBilal Ahmed, a theatre student, praised the production\u2019s balanced approach. \u201cThey didn\u2019t oversimplify things. The characters felt genuine, which made it more impactful,\u201d he said.A parallel event in Muzaffarabad featured traditional music and dance performances by the AJK Cultural Academy at the New Prime Minister\u2019s House.
\nThe program showcased regional folk arts, including local drumming traditions and ballads.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
ISLAMABAD 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\u2019s people and heritage. Organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Kashmir Affairs, Gilgit-Baltistan and States and Frontier […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":529739,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-529727","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-national"},"yoast_head":"\n