Saeed Akhtar - The CAP Podcast #13

Mr. Saeed Akhtar, Pakistan's veteran fine artist and the pioneer of portrait painting, was awarded the Pride of Performance in 1994 and the prestigious Sitara-e-Imtiaz in 2012. Mr. Akhtar is without a doubt, Pakistan's most renowned painter with his work displayed at some of the country's top bureaucratic and diplomatic offices, centers and libraries. In this podcast, Mr. Saeed Akhtar talks about the first time he painted Quaid-e-Azam, Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s portrait and speaks about the strength of color-blindness.

Saaed Akhtar (Urdu: سعىد اختتر‎) (b: 1938) is a Pakistani portrait painter. He has received Sitara-e-Imtiaz.

Early life and career

Akhtar lived in Quetta, Balochistan. His father was an Urdu teacher. He graduated from National College of Arts, Lahore.

After graduating from NCA, Akhtar joined its teaching staff. His major commission from this time is the portrait of (1970). The painting currently hangs in the State Bank of Pakistan building in Islamabad. His work has also been displayed in many exhibitions in Pakistan. Akhtar was commissioned to design Pakistan's largest stamp issue consisting of 27 stamps.