ISLAMABAD: The exhibition of the pictorial book “Kashmir: Wait and See” by internationally renowned Belgian photojournalist Cedric Gerbehaye on Jammu and Kashmir will be opened in Islamabad, the Pakistani capital on Monday, 26 January 2026.
The events are being organised by the Kashmir Council Europe (KC-EU) in various cities across Pakistan and Azad Kashmir during the last week of January and the first week of February.
In Muzaffarabad (the capital of Azad Kashmir), the ceremonies will be organised on January 29, 30, and 31; in Mirpur (Azad Kashmir) on February 1 and 2; and in Lahore (the capital of Punjab) on February 5, 6, 7, and 8.
Kashmir Council Europe (KC-EU) Chairman Ali Raza Syed, who is currently visiting Pakistan in connection with these ceremonies, said that this impactful pictorial book is the result of eight years of the author’s dedicated work and effort. He added that the book is an important documentary record of the lives, struggles, resilience, and culture of the Kashmiri people.
“The book is a crucial tool to globally highlight the Kashmir issue, with a particular focus on the fundamental right to self-determination for the Kashmiri people. The aim of these ceremonies is to bring the human dimension of the Kashmir issue and the human rights of Kashmiris to the forefront in order to inform international communities and policymakers,” the chairman said.
The book features compelling photographs and detailed accounts from Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan. It includes pictorial narratives ranging from pellet gun victims in Indian-administered Kashmir to residents of villages along the Line of Control in Azad Kashmir who frequently come under fire from Indian forces.
Mr Syed stated that the launch of this book is a cornerstone of an ongoing campaign to seek a just and peaceful resolution to the dispute in accordance with the aspirations of the Kashmiri people and relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
He said they reject what he described as baseless charges against prominent Kashmiri leader Yasin Malik, who is imprisoned in India, and demanded his immediate release.
“The untrue charges against Yasin Malik aim to suppress the effective political voice of Kashmiris and cover up the ongoing atrocities against them,” he said, adding that India’s claim of peace and tranquility in Kashmir is “completely false and baseless.” He said that by claiming peace in the region, India seeks to divert attention from alleged human rights violations in the territory.
He called upon the international community to help stop alleged atrocities against Kashmiris and to play a role in achieving a peaceful and just resolution of the Kashmir issue. “Major powers, in particular, will have to play a significant role in this regard,” he added.
