RAWALPINDI: The Rawalpindi Arts Council organised a photographic exhibition on the third death anniversary of Kashmiri leader Syed Ali Gilani.

Chairperson of Peace and Cultural Organisation and wife of Hurriyet leader Yasin Malik Mushaal Hussein Mullick was chief guest on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion, she said, “We are Pakistanis and Pakistan belongs to us” was the slogan of Syed Ali Gilani and his movement will continue to resonate until the occupied Kashmir is freed from illegal occupation.

“Syed Ali Gilani was a symbol of revolution and victory; he spent his entire life under captivity, house arrest and curfews imposed by the occupying Indian forces. He exposed the so-called democracy of the Indian Hindutva regime to the world.

The Indian occupying forces tortured the women of Syed Ali Gilani’s household and forcefully imposed a curfew at night to conduct the burial of the great leader,” she said.

She said that Syed Ali Gilani was not just the name of a person but represented a thought and revolution. He dedicated his entire life to the cause of freedom. His name will be written in golden letters in history, and the sacrifices of the martyrs will bear fruit.

PML-N MPA Shazia Rizwan mentioned that Syed Ali Gilani was a strong advocate against India’s illegal occupation and a staunch supporter of the accession of occupied Kashmir to Pakistan.

He raised his voice throughout his life against the atrocities of the Indian forces, human rights violations and the freedom movement.

He authored 21 books, including Rudad-i-Qafas, Nawa-i-Hurriyat and Bharat Ke Istemari Harbe, besides being the author of Sada-i-Dard, Millat Mazloom, Muqadma Haq and Payam Akhreen.

In recognition of his invaluable services to the freedom movement, the government of Pakistan honoured Syed Ali Gilani with the highest civilian award, Nishan-i-Pakistan.

A large number of people from surrounding cities attended the photo exhibition.

Published in Dawn, September 2nd, 2024