24 September 2025
Remains of Ruins – An Artistic Tribute to the Victims of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, inaugurated]

Islamabad, September 23, 2025: “The devastation brought to Hiroshima and Nagasaki must never be repeated, and Japan remains firmly committed to the mission of achieving a world without nuclear weapons,” said His Excellency Mr. Akamatsu Shuichi, Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan, at the inauguration of the exhibition Remains of Ruins – An Artistic Tribute to the Victims of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. He further elaborated, “Art and culture transcend the boundaries of language, uniting hearts across nations, and today’s artistic expressions will make a meaningful contribution to the cause of peace and stability.” “Humanity must always choose peace over destruction, dialogue over conflict, and coexistence over division,” opined Mr. Jamal Shah, President of the Pakistan Japan Cultural Association (PJCA) and Chairman of the Silk Road Culture Centre (SRCC). The exhibition, organized jointly by PJCA, SRCC and the Sir Syed Memorial Society (SSMS), and opened at the Sir Syed Memorial Art Gallery, Islamabad, featured the powerful paintings and sculptures of Ustad Bashir Ahmed, former Principal of the National College of Arts, which portray both the catastrophic human suffering caused by the atomic bombings and the resilience and hope that emerged afterwards. Ambassador Shuichi, who attended as Chief Guest, was personally briefed by Ustad Bashir Ahmed on each artwork. The ceremony was attended by Prof. Dr. Nusrat Ara Majeed, Senior Vice President PJCA, Mr. Zafar Mahmood, Acting Secretary General PJCA, Ms. Nigar Nazar, Ms. Rubeena Orita and other members of the PJCA Executive Body and Regular Members, diplomats from the Embassy of Japan, senior government officials, dignitaries, renowned artists, scholars, students and a large number of art lovers. The program also included the PJCA Regular Members’ Get-Together, strengthening people-to-people and cultural ties between Pakistan and Japan. Both the Ambassador and Mr. Jamal Shah underscored the vital role of cultural diplomacy, peace education and the arts in deepening mutual understanding and advancing the cause of nuclear disarmament, with the Ambassador reaffirming Japan’s commitment to preserving the memory of those tragic events and calling for collective efforts toward “a world without nuclear weapons.” PJCA, SRCC and SSMS extended heartfelt gratitude to all who contributed to and attended the exhibition, which stands as a solemn reminder of the dangers of nuclear weapons, the value of peace, and the unifying power of art and culture. # #Hiroshima#Nagasaki#RemainsOfRuins#UstadBashirAhmed#PJCA#SRCC#SSMS#Peace#NoToNukes#NuclearDisarmament#CulturalDiplomacy#PakistanJapanFriendship