The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on Friday initiated an inquiry into the disappearance and theft of artwork and precious paintings from the Pakistan National Council of Arts (PNCA) in Islamabad.

According to the FIA, 134 pieces of art, worth millions of rupees in total, have either disappeared or been stolen from the PNCA over several years.

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

Ustad Bashratullah's Half Kali Davi and Half Mahadev has also disappeared from the arts council.

It is rumoured that the missing pieces of art have either 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 that several pieces were missing during a stock check at the PNCA.