Open Letter to Pakistan Embassy in UAE

By Dr Salman Ahmad
SADEQUAIN Foundation
San Diego, CA

SADEQUAIN Foundation urges Pakistan Embassy in UAE to distance itself from exploitation of Sadequain’s good name by Noor Royal Gallery in Dubai.

Noor Royal Gallery in Dubai has recently mounted an exhibition of paintings and calligraphies falsely attributed to Sadequain, Pakistan Embassy in UAE has formally sponsored the exhibition.

Sadequain’s artistic genius brought immense recognition to Pakistan on the global stage. He is revered not only as a painter and calligrapher but also as a symbol of Pakistan’s intellectual and cultural identity. Sadly, his stature has also made him a target for unscrupulous individuals who have, over the years, circulated fakes for personal gain. While isolated sales of such forgeries are regrettable but not uncommon, the deliberate staging of an entire exhibition of counterfeit works in a respected international city like Dubai is unprecedented and alarming.

This action not only tarnishes Sadequain’s legacy but also damages the credibility of Pakistan’s cultural image abroad. Allowing fakes to circulate under the guise of authenticity erodes public trust in Pakistani art, deceives collectors and the public, and undermines decades of cultural diplomacy built on the pride of figures like Sadequain.

I respectfully urge the Embassy to investigate this matter, to formally raise objections with the concerned authorities, and to take appropriate steps to safeguard the integrity of Pakistan’s national treasures. It is imperative that Pakistan asserts its right to protect its icons from exploitation and misrepresentation.

Pakistan Embassy's timely intervention will help preserve both the reputation of Sadequain and the dignity of Pakistan’s cultural heritage.

(Dr Salman Ahmad is an electrical engineer by profession. He spent more than thirty years working on nuclear missile technology in senior executive positions in the United States and was the founder and president of an electronics communications company for seven years. He founded the SADEQUAIN Foundation in June 2007 to catalog Sadequain’s work and introduce it to the world.)