The Pakistan National Council of the Arts in Islamabad hosted a WWII exhibition focusing on the suffering of Soviet people during the 1941–1945 invasion by Nazi Germany, bringing wartime photographs and survivor stories to public attention. The exhibition, held under the theme Day of Remembrance for Victims of Genocide of Soviet People (1941–1945), presented images of destruction, displacement and resilience from that era.
A delegation of teachers and students from Federal Urdu University Islamabad attended the WWII exhibition under the leadership of Dr Faisal Javaid. Faculty members including Dr Sikander Zarren and Chuadary Rasheed sul accompanied the students, who viewed the displays and took part in the commemorative activities.
The event drew diplomats from Russia, Iran, Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan. The Russian Ambassador observed that the sacrifices of Soviet civilians and soldiers are often underemphasised in global accounts, noting that the Soviet resistance helped shape postwar Europe. Dr Gul e Ayesha Bhatti, Director of the Consortium for Asia Pacific and European Studies, spoke about the importance of remembering historical tragedies to inform present-day international relations.
Participants paid tribute to the victims by lighting candles and the national anthems of Pakistan and Russia were played during the programme. The WWII exhibition displayed a range of historical photographs that depicted both the human cost of the conflict and stories of survival, offering students and visitors a sobering visual record of the period.
Speaking to the media, Dr Faisal Javaid said that Federal Urdu University actively promotes international collaboration and seeks to provide students with opportunities to engage with global issues. He added that events like this WWII exhibition help broaden academic and professional perspectives while fostering cross-cultural understanding.
