The exhibition was a part of the peace initiative of Pakistan – India Forum for Peace and Democracy in 2003 at a time when tensions between the two countries had reached a new high with the real danger of war . The Forum decided to defuse the situation with a gathering of 300 activists and civil society members from India in Karachi for a peace convention .
The exhibition was held at the Beach Luxury Hotel , the venue of the Convention. Over 100 artists from both countries participated with works on fabric .
Traditionally flags have led armies into battle , the works at Flags of Peace subverted this by making it a symbol of peace to led an anti- war movement . The use of fabric opened it to diverse possibilities and artists explored a wide range of embellishments like stitching , collage, embroidery with intervention of metal, ceramics , plastic among others to carry their message of peace.