Ghotki-based artist Seffy Soomro has retrieved his ‘lost’ paintings from Frere Hall in Karachi, thanks to a social media campaign that prompted action from the Sindh government.

In an emotional video shared on Facebook, Soomro celebrated his victory while displaying his recovered artwork.

“I am at Frere Hall, and today I was supposed to collect my paintings. As you can see, I am here and have successfully recovered them,” he said, visibly moved. Soomro expressed his gratitude to those who supported him, emphasising that their efforts were “crucial” in achieving this outcome.

Soomro revealed that he has requested a royalty fee from Frere Hall for the unauthorised use of his artwork in various events, dramas, and gatherings. “I just want to thank everyone who amplified my voice and raised this issue, making it possible for me to get my paintings back, he added.

The Sindhi artist’s experience of losing and then reclaiming his artwork has ignited conversations about the protection of artists’ rights and the misuse of creative properties in public spaces.

To provide context, Soomro sent his paintings for an exhibition at Frere Hall in 2017 but never received them back. Initially, he was told that his artwork had been lost, only to later discover it in 2024 during an episode of the popular TV show Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum.

Outraged by the situation, he took to social media to accuse Frere Hall of misappropriating his work, which led to widespread attention. As a result, the Sindh culture minister ordered an inquiry into the incident.

The investigation found that there had been a “misunderstanding” between Soomro and the exhibition centre. The report claimed that Soomro had “not taken a serious interest” in reclaiming his paintings, although it clarified that his artwork was never returned or packed away; instead, it had been moved around Frere Hall for various exhibitions over the years.

Soomro has since accused the authorities of conducting a biased investigation.