Marka-e-Haq reflects Pakistan’s courage and unbreakable spirit, says Alhamra chief at patriotic art exhibition

LAHORE: Executive Director of Lahore Arts Council Alhamra Muhammad Nawaz Gondal has said that Marka-e-Haq is the voice of a nation that stands firm in the face of every challenge and rises with honour, courage and great faith. 

Speaking at the first anniversary of Operation Marka-e-Haq Bunyan-um-Marsoos at Alhamra, Mr. Nawaz Gondal highlighted Alhamra’s longstanding role in promoting national identity through cultural expression. "The institution has consistently served as a platform for strengthening Pakistan’s ideological values, artistic heritage and spirit of unity. The sacrifices and achievements of Pakistan’s armed forces deserved to be remembered and celebrated in meaningful and creative ways that inspire younger generations.”

Speaking about the exhibition, the Alhamra chief said the initiative transformed patriotic emotions into a powerful artistic narrative. He added that the collaboration with ACTIVIT gave the event a broader dimension by connecting art, patriotism and youth engagement under one platform. According to him, the overwhelming participation of young people reflected their deep emotional attachment to the country and its defenders.

He further announced that Alhamra, in collaboration with ACTIVIT, would continue organising programmes designed to engage youth in constructive and creative activities. These initiatives, he said, would include wellness education, sports science, fitness training, clinical nutrition and cultural programmes aimed at encouraging balanced lifestyles among young people. 

Chief Executive Officer of ACTIVIT, Rd. Rizwan Aftab Ahmed, also paid tribute to the martyrs, Pakistan’s armed forces and courageous civilians and appreciated Alhamra for organising the event in a unique and memorable manner. He said the remarkable turnout of Gen Z participants demonstrated the younger generation’s patriotism and admiration for the sacrifices rendered by the armed forces. It was further shared that ACTIVIT organized Pakistan’s first-ever Olympic-scale triathlon in Islamabad, dedicating the landmark “ACTIVIT Margalla Triathlon” to the spirit, sacrifice, and national pride associated with Marka-e-Haq.

The exhibition was inaugurated by Tahir Raza Hamdani, who praised the participating artists for presenting themes of courage, sacrifice, victory and national unity through compelling visual expression. Accompanied by Muhammad Nawaz Gondal, he visited the exhibition and reviewed artworks created by young artists as part of the Marka-e-Haq painting competition.

More than 40 paintings were displayed during the exhibition, each portraying patriotic themes and the emotional connection between the nation and its armed forces. Visitors described the artworks as a powerful reflection of national honour, resilience and solidarity, while the event itself highlighted the role of art in preserving collective memory and inspiring future generations.

In the competition, Hazeela Zahid secured first position, followed by Shehzadi Ayesha in second place and Zara Hanif Malik in third. Cash prizes of Rs50,000, Rs30,000 and Rs20,000 respectively, along with certificates, were distributed among the winners by Tahir Raza Hamdani and Muhammad Nawaz Gondal.