Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: Rawalpindi Islamabad Photo Journalists Association (Professional Group) in collaboration with Embassy of United Arabs Emirates (UAE) has organized annual photograph exhibition in which some 57 photo journalists of twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad participated.
In the exhibition with theme “Islamabad Poem by Nature” some 99 photographs were put on display highlighting the beauties of federal capital through the lens of camera.
Federal Minister for Human Rights Shireen Mazari appreciated the skills of the photo journalists and the way they have brought to light the hidden beauty of the capital. She expressed her desire that the photo journalists should hold their next exhibition on the issue of human rights and extended her ministry’s all out help in this connection.
Advisor to Prime Minister Ali Nawaz Awan in his brief address said that some of the photographs also pointed out some civic and other problems being faced by the residents of the Federal Capital and said that they would take measures to resolve the same.
On the occasion, the sponsors of the event Director sales of AAA Associates Umer Shoukat said that photojournalist role in any newspaper is very important because without photographs newspaper is less attractive, these front liners some time put their life in danger while capturing bomb blast or firing situations he assured that his company will continue supporting the noble cause of promoting and highlighting the work of the photo journalists.
In his welcome address President of Photo Journalists Association (Professional Group) Sajjad Haider said that they have been serving the cause of photo journalists for well over 20 years and up till now managed Rs1.5 crore for the welfare of the community.
Highlighting the efforts being put in by photo journalists Sajjad Haider said that they were frontrunners in the field of journalism and expressed his resolve to continue his efforts for serving the cause of photo journalists.
UAE Deputy Head of mission Rashid Al-Ali and CEO Hanif Jewellers Salman Hanif laud the efforts of photojournalists and admire their tremendous work of photography in exhibition. They also awarded cash prize to organisers of event Ch Jahangir Rizwan Khan, Mohammad Asim Raja Zafar Raja Riaz and Mudasser Raja with huge applauds.
In the exhibition, the best photographer’s award was given to Mohammad Asim of Dawn while Sultan Bashir was declared the best photographer of the year 2021. Moreover, senior most photojournalist of twin cities Abdul Hameed Zafar Awan and Agha Qaiser were awarded souvenirs for serving from 40 to 50 years in the field of photojournalism.
In order to support photojournalist 55 smart phones were distributed among participants of event.