KARACHI, April 2: Shahid Rassam, the artist whose sculptures destined for Dubai had been detained by the Pakistani Customs last month, has accused Customs officials of extorting him, and demanded release of his art work and the extorted money, besides damages of Rs4 million.

He held a press conference at the press club here on Monday and called for strict action against the officials concerned who, he said, had brought a bad name to the country by detaining his four giant sculptures he had booked with the PIA for display at a prestigious exhibition in Dubai which was held on March 19.

Revealing his ordeal, he said he had left Dubai with his smaller sculptures to participate in the exhibition but was made to wait for the arrival of the four giant ones until the exhibition was over. He claimed that the Customs officials had demanded Rs50,000 for allowing the sculptures shipped and he was informed by his clearing/forwarding agent about the demand.

Mr Rassam said he had to pay off the amount through the agent on March 18 but the sculptures were not released.

On March 19, he added, the Customs officials demanded Rs100,000 more but he did not agree. Ultimately, the Customs officials sent the sculptures to the archaeology department seeking verification and clearance, claiming that they wanted to ensure these were not ‘antiques’ belonging to the state. He ridiculed the suspicion, saying that the sculptures were the art pieces he had created over a couple of years.

Mr Rassam asserted that the sculptures must be restored to him now when the exhibition was over and they were no more needed to be sent to Dubai.

He said the Customs must also pay him damages for the financial losses and mental stress they had caused to him by detaining the sculptures without any valid reason. He also demanded return of the extorted money, saying that he could go the extent of moving court if his demands were not met.

Mr Rassam pointed out that he had organised more than 15 shows in US, UK, France, Italy, UAE, India, etc, besides many exhibitions within the country over a decade and a half.