Pakistan probes theft of priceless art pieces from PNCA

Islamabad March 24 (IANS) The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on Friday initiated an inquiry into the disappearance and theft of priceless artwork and preciouspaintings from the Pakistan National Council of Arts (PNCA) here.

According to the FIA 134 pieces of art worth millions of rupees have either disappeared or have been stolen from the PNCA over the last ten years.

Centuries-old works of art which have gone missing from the PNCA include Ustad Allah Ditta s famous Ramchand and Lakshman painting the Dawn online reported.

Ustad Bashratullah s Half Kali Devi and Half Mahadev has also disappeared.

The missing pieces of art have been reported either as having been gifted to influential people or sold at high prices in the black market.

The Ministry of Information and Broadcast and Cultural Heritage referred the inquiry to the FIA after it was discovered during a stock check at the PNCA that many pieces were missing.

--IANS
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