Art Heist At The National Art Gallery Islamabad

In light of an alleged art heist at the nation’s top art council, senior artists have requested the chairman of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and Prime Minister, Imran Khan to launch an investigation immediately.

Earlier this week, in a webinar organized by the Development Communications Network (Devcom-Pakistan), a discussion was held regarding the 10 paintings of the renowned late artist, AJ Shemza which were mysteriously removed from the National Art Gallery of the Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA). Later they were handed over to a woman who claimed to be the heiress of the late artist. This issue was brought to light after Federal Minister of Education and Heritage, Shafqat Mehmood was alerted by the National Artists Association of Pakistan (NAAP).

Former PNCA director-general and also a renowned artist, Naeem Tahir heavily criticized the situation stating that this should’ve never happened. He elaborated that once a painting is donated to the gallery and is part of the directory, it automatically becomes a national treasure. No one has the right to claim the pieces as their property nor can they be returned under any circumstances whatsoever.

The previous head of the PNCA before the currently appointed one, Jamal Shah recalled that during his service at the council, in 2017 he had received several letters by the alleged heirs and heiresses of the late artist, AJ Shemza. The letter came along with a note from another late artist, Asma Jahangir asking for the paintings to be returned.

After further interrogation for evidence of the paintings being loaned to the gallery, the interrogators didn’t receive any response. Even back then, the members of the PNCA board had reached a unanimous conclusion that the paintings were donated as a national treasure to the gallery and were not eligible to be returned to any of the apparent heirs.

Due to their high quality and worth, the heads believe there is a filthy money-making scheme at play by powerful figures. They seem to be depriving the PNCA of its treasure and the nation’s heritage. He added that recently, one of Shemza’s paintings was sold at a very high price to Christie’s, located in the UK.

The former executive director of Visual Arts, Amna Ismail Pataudi disclosed that she had been forced to return the paintings to the heirs however, she refused to do so. She retired on July 9 and is certain that the heist took place after that.

Jamal Shah disclosed that a total of 137 paintings have been stolen from the National Art Gallery. He had lodged a complaint with the FIA but no serious action had been taken except for the nomination of a few officials for an inquiry. He suggests that the Prime Minister must form a senior commission including top artists to probe the heist.

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