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    'Pakistan behind the Headlines'

    Photography Exhibition 'Pakistan behind the headlines' at Nomad Gallery Islamabad

    Written by: Maryam Muhammad
    Posted on: June 10, 2015 | | 中文

    Bibi Asma, 7, has respiratory problems

    A photography exhibition by the MSF (Medecins Sans Frontieres) titled ‘Pakistan behind the headlines’ opened here at the Nomad Gallery, Islamabad on Monday, 8th June 2015.

    Photography Exhibition 'Pakistan behind the headlines' at Nomad Gallery Islamabad

    "This is my country. I love my country." (An elder outside MSF's Saada office, who insisted on showing the photographer his ID card to prove that he is Pakistani)

    The exhibition showcases the work of Saadia Khan, a self-taught portrait and landscape photographer, invited by MSF to visit a camp for the IDPs of FATA and Kurram agency. The photographs were taken over a period of three days at the Durrani camp, and the subjects were children, women and the elderly.

    Saadia Khan has successfully translated the unspoken hardships and sufferings of the IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons) into a medium that is her forte. She has masterfully captured the facial expressions of her subjects. The children, especially, seem to have been at ease with the photographer; the photographs in no way appear to be staged or artificial. Several of the images on display at the exhibition are heartbreaking – portraying a people worn out by conflict, yet still determined to hold on to their national identity.

    The plight of the women in these areas has also been highlighted. Not only are women absent from most of the photos on display, but wherever they do appear, they are veiled and shying away from the camera. This behavior is in line with the traditions of the area, where women are not permitted to venture outdoors without a male relative to accompany them. Saadia Khan, through her photos, shows that there is much more to these women than just their veil. Underneath this piece of cloth, which may or may not be considered oppressive, are women with a voice, a perspective and a resilient personality.

    The impact of war on the area’s infrastructure is another dominant theme of the exhibition. Khan underlines the absence of basic health services in the region and the impact of war on these scarce facilities by capturing an image of a bullet-ridden maternity ward.

    Photography Exhibition 'Pakistan behind the headlines' at Nomad Gallery Islamabad

    Saadia Khan speaks about her exhibition

    An MSF representative said that the medical needs of the people in the region surpass the facilities available to them. Despite the dangers posed by the current situation in the region, MSF is committed to providing free medical aid to those who need it, regardless of class, gender, race or nationality.

    The exhibition will remain open from 9th to 13th June, 2015. All proceeds from the exhibition will be donated to MSF to facilitate aid provision in Kurram agency.

    Click to view picture gallery


    As the new year begins, let us also start anew. I’m delighted to extend, on behalf of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and in my own name, new year’s greeting and sincere wishes to YOULIN magazine’s staff and readers.

    Only in hard times can courage and perseverance be manifested. Only with courage can we live to the fullest. 2020 was an extraordinary year. Confronted by the COVID-19 pandemic, China and Pakistan supported each other and took on the challenge in solidarity. The ironclad China-Pakistan friendship grew stronger as time went by. The China Pakistan Economic Corridor projects advanced steadily in difficult times, become a standard-bearer project of the Belt and Road Initiative in balancing pandemic prevention and project achievement. The handling capacity of the Gwadar Port has continued to rise and Afghanistan transit trade through the port has officially been launched. The Karakoram Highway Phase II upgrade project is fully open to traffic. The Lahore Orange Line project has been put into operation. The construction of Matiari-Lahore HVDC project was fully completed. A batch of green and clean energy projects, such as the Kohala and Azad Pattan hydropower plants have been substantially promoted. Development agreement for the Rashakai SEZ has been signed. The China-Pakistan Community of Shared Future has become closer and closer.

    Reviewing the past and looking to the future, we are confident to write a brilliant new chapter. The year 2021 is the 100th birthday of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan. The 100-year journey of CPC surges forward with great momentum and China-Pakistan relationship has flourished in the past 70 years. Standing at a new historic point, China is willing to work together with Pakistan to further implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, connect the CPEC cooperation with the vision of the “Naya Pakistan”, promote the long-term development of the China-Pakistan All-weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership with love, dedication and commitment. Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the founding father of Pakistan said, “We are going through fire. The sunshine has yet to come.” Yes, Pakistan’s best days are ahead, China will stand with Pakistan firmly all the way.

    YOULIN magazine is dedicated to promoting cultural exchanges between China and Pakistan and is a window for Pakistani friends to learn about China, especially the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. It is hoped that with the joint efforts of China and Pakistan, YOULIN can listen more to the voices of readers in China and Pakistan, better play its role as a bridge to promote more effectively people-to-people bond.

    Last but not least, I would like to wish all the staff and readers of YOULIN a warm and prosper year in 2021.

    Nong Rong Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of
    The People’s Republic of China to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
    January 2021