An art exhibition titled “Main Hoon Pakistan: Hum Ek Hain” (I am Pakistan: We are one) was inaugurated at the Benazir Art Gallery of the Institute of Art and Design, University of Sindh, Jamshoro, on Tuesday as part of the university’s two-week-long celebrations marking the 79th Independence Day of Pakistan.

Sindh University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Fateh Muhammad Marri (T.I.), along with Vice-Chancellor University of Sufism and Modern Sciences, Bhitshah Professor Dr Imamuddin Khoso, Vice-Chancellor University of Mirpurkhas Professor Dr Rafique Memon, former Vice-Chancellor SABS University of Art, Design and Heritage Professor Dr Bhai Khan Shar, Pro-Vice-Chancellor Sindh University Main Campus Professor Dr Abdul Sattar Shah, Pro-Vice-Chancellor Dadu Campus Professor Dr Anila Naz Soomro; Registrar Sajid Qayoom Memon and other senior officials formally inaugurated the exhibition  by snipping the ribbon.

The VC along with guests later toured the gallery, where students presented their projects and explained the ideas and artistic techniques behind their creations. The works had been developed under the supervision of faculty members as part of the university’s Independence Day activities.

The exhibition brought together an array of visually striking works, including intricately crafted maps of Pakistan depicting the cultural traditions of its different regions and communities, portraits of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, representations of the national flag and other compositions celebrating independence, patriotism, national identity and cultural pluralism.

Rather than merely displaying artistic craftsmanship, the exhibition offered a visual narrative of Pakistan’s diverse social and cultural landscape. Through colour, form and symbolism, the students sought to portray a country whose varied traditions and identities converge in a shared national belonging.

The visiting dignitaries examined the exhibits with keen interest and interacted with the participating students. They appreciated the originality, technical skill and conceptual maturity evident in the projects and observed that several works displayed a standard comparable to that of international exhibitions.

Addressing the gathering, Professor Dr Fateh Muhammad Marri said the exhibition conveyed a compelling message that Pakistan’s strength lay in its diversity, mutual respect and collective identity.

He said the students had given artistic form to the spirit of Independence Day by portraying the country’s history, cultural heritage, national symbols and aspirations through creative expression.

He observed that art offered a distinctive language through which young people could engage with questions of identity, heritage and citizenship while developing their imagination and confidence.

He appreciated the Institute of Art and Design for creating a platform where students could transform their ideas into meaningful works of art and urged them to refine their skills and aspire to national and international recognition.

He said universities had a broader responsibility beyond classroom instruction, as they were also expected to cultivate creativity, cultural consciousness and a sense of civic responsibility among the younger generation.

The Vice-Chancellor said the Independence Day programme at the University of Sindh comprised a range of academic, literary, cultural, artistic and social activities designed to engage students in constructive reflection on the meaning of freedom and their responsibilities towards the country.

Vice-Chancellor University of Sufism and Modern Sciences Bhitshah Professor Dr Imamuddin Khoso said the exhibition had brought together the many colours of Pakistan through the imaginative vision of young artists.

He said the theme “Main hoon Pakistan: Hum ek Hain” carried a timely message of national solidarity, demonstrating that linguistic, cultural and regional diversity could enrich rather than fragment the national fabric.

Dr Khoso said the artworks reflected the students’ affection for their homeland as well as their awareness of its rich and varied cultural heritage.

He said the exhibition demonstrated how colour, composition and visual symbolism could communicate powerful ideas about belonging, harmony and national identity.

He urged educational institutions to provide young people with greater opportunities to explore their creative abilities and use them to promote tolerance, cultural understanding and social cohesion.

Former Vice-Chancellor SABS University of Art Design and Heritage Professor Dr Bhai Khan Shar said the exhibition offered an encouraging glimpse into the creative potential of University of Sindh students.

He said the displayed works presented Pakistan through multiple artistic perspectives, encompassing its history, cultural traditions, landscapes and national symbols.

He appreciated the students and faculty for producing works that combined aesthetic appeal with thoughtful messages about patriotism, identity and national cohesion.

Vice-Chancellor University of Mirpurkhas Professor Dr Rafique Memon said art had a distinctive capacity to transcend linguistic, geographical and cultural boundaries and create spaces for dialogue and understanding.

He said the quality of the students’ work was encouraging and reflected their growing artistic confidence and creative sensibility.

He urged the young artists to pursue their craft with professionalism, originality and a sustained commitment to excellence.

Pro-Vice-Chancellor Sindh University Main Campus Professor Dr Abdul Sattar Shah said the exhibition was a vivid manifestation of the students’ artistic imagination and their attachment to Pakistan.

He said the central theme conveyed an important message that national identity was strengthened when diverse cultural expressions were brought together within a shared sense of belonging.

He said the exhibits demonstrated the richness of Pakistan’s cultural mosaic and the ability of young artists to interpret national themes in contemporary and imaginative ways.

He appreciated the faculty and students for arranging the exhibition and said creative and cultural activities should complement formal academic pursuits in universities.

He added that such initiatives could help students develop confidence, aesthetic sensibility and a deeper appreciation of the country’s cultural heritage.

Pro-Vice-Chancellor Sindh University Dadu Campus Professor Dr Anila Naz Soomro said the exhibition reflected the students’ emotional and intellectual connection with Pakistan and its cultural inheritance.

She said the works brought together a spectrum of colours, traditions and artistic expressions under the unifying idea of a common national identity.

She appreciated the students and their teachers for giving tangible form to the theme through imaginative and thought-provoking artworks.

Director Institute of Art and Design Professor Saeed Ahmed Mangi said the exhibition was conceived to connect artistic expression with the national spirit surrounding Independence Day.

He said students had invested considerable effort in transforming the central theme of the exhibition into a varied collection of visual narratives under the guidance of their teachers.

He said the institute would continue to encourage experimentation and innovation while ensuring that students remained connected with Pakistan’s cultural heritage and contemporary artistic discourse.

Dean Faculty of Social Sciences Professor Dr Nanak Ram said the exhibition offered a thoughtful representation of Pakistan’s social and cultural fabric and underscored the principle of unity in diversity.

He said the theme was particularly meaningful in a country whose identity had been shaped by a rich interplay of languages, cultures, traditions and regional histories.

He observed that the students had employed art not simply as an aesthetic pursuit but as a medium for articulating their understanding of citizenship, identity and patriotism.

He said such creative engagements could nurture tolerance, empathy and social cohesion among young people by encouraging them to appreciate perspectives beyond their immediate cultural surroundings.

He appreciated the University of Sindh for giving students opportunities to commemorate national occasions through intellectually and culturally meaningful activities.

Dean Faculty of Commerce and Business Administration Professor Dr Javed Chandio said the exhibition demonstrated that university students could excel creatively beyond the conventional boundaries of their academic disciplines.

He said engagement with artistic and cultural activities could strengthen confidence, innovation and the ability to communicate complex ideas in compelling ways.

He appreciated the Institute of Art and Design for providing students with a platform to showcase their abilities while contributing to the Independence Day celebrations.

Dean Faculty of Natural Sciences Professor Dr Naheed Kaka said the exhibition illustrated the capacity of art to deepen public appreciation of national history, culture and identity.

She said the students had displayed commendable originality in interpreting Pakistan’s national symbols and cultural heritage through visual forms.

She congratulated the students and faculty members for presenting a carefully curated collection of artworks and for creating an intellectually engaging atmosphere around the Independence Day celebrations.

Registrar Sajid Qayoom Memon, Director ORIC Dr Farhat Naureen, Dr Ahmed Ali Brohi, Dr Shahmurad Chandio, Dr Ghulam Akber Mahesar, Zeeshan Memon, Muhammad Mashooque Siddiqui, Ajved Ahmed Bhatti, Professor Umeed Ali Rind, Dr Muhammad Younis Leghari, Dr Sikander Ali Soomro, Dr Khalid Hussain Lashari, Dr Faiz Brohi, Dr Mubarak Ali Lashari, Dr Muhammad Qasim Nizamani, Dr Naimatullah Khilji, Ghulam Shabir Abbasi, Dr Niaz Ali Bhutto, Dr Punhal Khan Lashari, Anil Kumar Bhatia, Dr Sadaf, Rafique Ali Brohi, Professor Sabeen Naeem, Dr Rehana Mallah, Dr Humera Hakro, Dr Sumera Dero, Dr Barkat Ali Bughio, Asma Kalhoro and other senior faculty members and officials were also present.

The exhibition will remain open to visitors until August 14, Pakistan’s Independence Day.