Sindh Culture and Tourism Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah has formed a two-member inquiry committee comprising the director general of culture, and the director general of antiquities to investigate the alleged theft of Ghotki artist’s “missing paintings”, which according to him, were shown in an episode of drama ‘Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum’.

The committee will provide a detailed report to the provincial minister within seven days, according to a statement. Appropriate action would be taken if any negligence or wrongdoing was uncovered, he added.

In a Facebook post, artist Seffy Soomro claimed that his paintings were shown in episode 17 of the popular drama.

“Assalam o Alikum… I’m Seffy Soomro from Daharki, district Ghotki. I’m an artist. In 2017, I gave my paintings to Frere Hall for an exhibition. After the exhibition was over, I asked for them back. However, I was told that my paintings couldn’t be found. After a while, I gave up thinking perhaps they were, in fact, lost. After all, we’re all human,” he said.

“I was lied to. I was told my paintings were lost, only for them to be reused or sold for profit. I have not been credited for these paintings yet.”

The Ghotki artist added that these works were part of his thesis for the University of Sindh’s Fine Arts Department. “I have proof of this,” he said.

In the TV show, actors Emmad Irfani and Areej Chaudhary observe the paintings. Chaudhary’s character Natasha praises the artwork while saying: “The artist has expressed human emotions in so much depth.”