Pakistani artist Iman Sara uses Mughal miniatures to create niche in fine line tattooing

A collage of photos shows fine line tattoos depicting Mughal miniature art drawn by Pakistani artist Iman Sara. (Photo courtesy: Iman Sara)
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Updated 01 February 2023
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Pakistani artist Iman Sara uses Mughal miniatures to create niche in fine line tattooing

  • Without apprenticeship options in Lahore or fake skin to work with, Sara had to experiment on her own body and has 120 tattoos 
  • Fine line tattoos are relatively new to the tattoo industry and Mughal miniature motifs are virtually unheard of in body art

LAHORE: When miniaturist Iman Sara decided during the first coronavirus lockdowns in 2020 that she wanted to learn tattooing, she scoured through a number of body art parlors in her hometown of Lahore and discovered that there was not a single practitioner who had a formal arts education and could teach her the craft.

Then an idea struck her: she could be the first one.

A graduate of the Miniature Department at the National College of Arts (NCA), for the past three years Sara has been making her mark as a fine line tattooist, using her expertise in Mughal miniatures to create a niche in the body art industry. 

Fine line tattoos, which involve creating designs with very fine, delicate lines, are relatively new to the tattoo industry, compared to the thicker lines and heavy color shading of traditional machine-made tattoos. And Mughal miniature motifs are virtually unheard of in body art.

So, without any apprenticeship options in Lahore or fake skin to work with, Sara had to experiment on her own body, working with Mughal motifs as her way of grounding her art in her subcontinental roots. She started practicing on her legs, then moved onto her arms, her torso and finally her hands, pouring over videos on the Internet, and researching hygiene and cleanliness to avoid infections in fresh skin wounds.

Soon her friends, husband and siblings also wanted to get tattoos from her. As word spread, other people started approaching her too, setting her off on a professional trajectory.

“I had a friend in America [who got] me all the equipment I needed,” Sara, who has 120 tattoos on her body, told Arab News from London, where she is now based and working at Lost Fox Studios. “During quarantine I taught myself how to tattoo.”




A forearm tattoo with a Mughal mermaid motif made in London on January 18, 2023. (Photo courtesy: Iman Sara)

Sara most frequently uses a 0.30mm Round Liner instrument, which comprises a tight cluster of needles, narrower than the needles used for traditional machine tattoos, but ideal for fine line work.

“We used to paint with brushes that were made of 10-15 strands of squirrel hair [for miniatures at NCA]. They were very thin, so it was a natural transition to fine line tattooing,” the artist said. “The miniature background was a blessing, same hand pressure, clean lines, attention to detail.”




Custom Mughal miniature tattoo made in London on November 22, 2022. (Photo courtesy: Iman Sara)

Sara said she had wanted to be a tattoo artist since she was 14 years old:

“But living in Pakistan, I never thought it would be a possibility for me, especially being a girl.”

Before moving to London, Sara had a client waiting list of 200 in Lahore, while the biggest tattoo parlor in Pakistan, Inkgrave Studios in Karachi, currently averages around 50 clients a month and has a waiting list of about 20 people.

One of the most experienced tattoo artists in Lahore, Meer, who only uses his first name and learnt tattooing in Thailand and Poland, said he had “never seen anything like it,” when describing Sara’s work.

“With tattoos that small and lines that thin, it would take years of experience to keep a steady hand,” he told Arab News. “Even now I see people around me, we make mistakes, ink spills out of the stenciled area. That’s easier to cover up when you have thicker lines.”




Custom miniature of a woman holding a sitar made in Lahore on September 17, 2022. (Photo courtesy: Iman Sara)

But the margin of error was “much smaller” in Sara’s work, Meer said:

“I’ve been tattooing in three countries. Watercolors are hard, but you can still use a free hand on those, this seems harder.”

An artist, model and digital content creator from Lahore who publicly uses the name Baemisaal said she found out about Sara through a colleague and had gotten multiple tattoos done from her.

“Seeing her tattoos up close instantly got me obsessed with her line work and precision. As an artist myself, detailing and finesse is super important to me,” she said. “I went to see her a year ago. I’d been wanting the tattoos I have now since I was literally 14. I [just] couldn’t trust anyone because some of my tattoos are my own illustrations.”

But Sara’s work is “so incredibly unique,” Baemisaal said. “Everywhere I go, people ask if they can look at my tattoos.”

What was best about the miniaturist, Baemisaal said, was that she gave her clients “complete freedom” over their designs.

“Some tattoo artists insist on doing things their own way,” the model said, “which never makes sense to me since it’s our bodies, the tattoos [are] etched on our skins forever.”


No visit by Trump to Pakistan ‘scheduled at this time’ — White House official

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No visit by Trump to Pakistan ‘scheduled at this time’ — White House official

  • Trump confirmed to visit UK from Sept. 17–19 for state events hosted by King Charles
  • Speculation of Trump’s Pakistan stop emerged after reports on local TV channels

ISLAMABAD: No visit to Pakistan by US President Donald Trump has been scheduled, a White House official confirmed on Thursday, contradicting media reports in Pakistan that claimed he would arrive in the country in mid-September.

At least two Pakistani media outlets had reported that Trump was expected to visit Islamabad around September 18. The reports fueled speculation about a possible South Asia tour that could include a rare presidential trip to Pakistan.

However, Trump is already scheduled to travel to the United Kingdom from September 17 to 19, where he is expected to meet members of the royal family and participate in events hosted by Buckingham Palace, according to a previously issued statement from the palace.

Separately, Indian media have reported that Trump may also stop in New Delhi in September, though exact dates have not been confirmed by the White House.

In response to an Arab News query regarding a potential Pakistan visit, the White House said on background:

“A trip to Pakistan has not been scheduled at this time.”

Geo and ARY news channels had said earlier on Thursday that Trump was expected to visit Pakistan in September. But both later withdrew their reports.

If Trump does end up visiting Pakistan, it would be his first to Pakistan as president and the first by a US president since George W. Bush’s trip to Islamabad in 2006.

US-Pakistan relations saw a major boost when Trump hosted Pakistan’s army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir at the White House last month in an unprecedented lunch meeting.


Pakistan’s Dar meets Afghan top leaders during Kabul visit to sign railway pact

Updated 41 min 3 sec ago
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Pakistan’s Dar meets Afghan top leaders during Kabul visit to sign railway pact

  • Railway project aims to establish a vital trade and transit corridor linking Uzbekistan with Pakistan via Afghanistan
  • Dar, PM Hassan Akhund discuss peace, trade, transit cooperation and connectivity, says Pakistan’s foreign office

ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar met Afghanistan’s prime minister and foreign minister on Thursday to discuss bilateral trade, peace and security, as he arrived in Kabul to sign a framework agreement to conduct a joint feasibility study for the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan (UAP) Railway Project.

Dar, who is also Pakistan’s foreign minister, met huis Afghan counterpart Amir Khan Muttaqi earlier on Thursday to discuss bilateral relations and trade cooperation, Pakistan’s foreign office said.

Talks between the two countries’ officials took place amid a tentative thaw in Pakistan-Afghanistan relations, which have been strained in recent years due to a surge in militancy in Pakistan that Islamabad blames on Afghan-based insurgent groups. Kabul denies the allegations.

“On the sidelines of the signing ceremony for the Framework Agreement on Joint Feasibility Study of the UAP Railway Corridor, DPM/FM, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar called on the Afghan Prime Minister, Mullah Muhammad Hassan Akhund,” the foreign office said.

The two reaffirmed their commitment to continue bilateral engagement and agreed to maintain high-level contacts to promote bilateral relations, the statement said.

“The two leaders exchanged views on issues of mutual interest, including peace and security, trade and transit cooperation and regional connectivity,” Pakistan’s foreign office said.

The UAP Railway Project aims to establish a vital trade and transit corridor linking Uzbekistan with Pakistan via Afghanistan, offering the Central Asian republics direct access to Pakistani seaports.

The rail link is expected to significantly boost regional connectivity, facilitate trade and contribute to long-term economic integration and political stability in the broader region.

For Pakistan, which seeks to position itself as a regional connectivity hub, the UAP railway is also strategically important in strengthening economic ties with Central Asia and securing stable transit through Afghanistan, a country whose internal security dynamics continue to impact broader regional development goals.

“The signing of the Framework Agreement on Joint Feasibility Study between the three participating countries in Kabul will be an important step toward its implementation,” the foreign office said in an earlier statement.

Uzbekistan and Afghanistan signed an agreement in 2017 to extend a railroad connecting the two countries that would eventually give Uzbekistan a direct link to seaports.

Landlocked Uzbekistan’s access to marine shipping is very limited.

Efforts to repair the fractured ties between Islamabad and Kabul gained momentum during a China-hosted trilateral dialogue in Beijing in May between the foreign ministers of Pakistan, Afghanistan and China.

Islamabad and Kabul agreed in principle to send ambassadors to each other’s countries as soon as possible, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi had announced after the summit.

The upcoming signing of the UAP railway pact, a long-discussed infrastructure project championed by all three governments, is also being seen as one of the first tangible outcomes of renewed engagement between Islamabad and Kabul.


Pakistan, EU renew GSP+ commitment, discuss counterterror cooperation, Middle East peace efforts

Updated 17 July 2025
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Pakistan, EU renew GSP+ commitment, discuss counterterror cooperation, Middle East peace efforts

  • Pakistan, EU officials hold 10th Political Dialogue in Brussels to discuss bilateral, regional issues
  • Both sides call for resumption of ceasefire in Gaza, improvement in humanitarian situation there 

ISLAMABAD: Senior officials from Islamabad and the European Union on Thursday resolved to continue their engagement under the Generalized Scheme of Preference Plus (GSP+) framework, discussing counterterror collaboration and peace efforts in Gaza, Pakistan’s foreign office said. 

Europe’s GSP+ scheme grants beneficiary countries’ exports duty-free access to the European market in exchange for voluntarily agreeing to implement 27 international core conventions, including those on human and civil rights. In October 2023, the EU unanimously voted to extend GSP+ status until 2027 for developing countries, including Pakistan.

Olof Skoog, the deputy secretary general of the European External Action Service and Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch led the delegations from both sides, as they held the 10th Political Dialogue in Brussels on Thursday. 

“The two sides reiterated their resolve to continue close engagement under the GSP+ framework,” Pakistan’s foreign office said.

“They acknowledged the meaningful cooperation on various aspects of migration, aiming to hold the third Comprehensive Migration and Mobility Dialogue later in 2025.”

The statement said both sides also discussed views on regional and global issues, stressing the importance of multifaceted cooperation on security matters, including counterterrorism and counter-narcotics.

Both delegations condemned all forms of “terrorism,” the foreign office said. 

Brussels and Islamabad discussed the Ukraine conflict and the Kashmir dispute between India and Pakistan as well, pushing for dialogue. 

“Both sides agreed on the need for efforts based on dialogue and diplomacy in order to solve contentious issues and underscored the importance of upholding international law and the sanctity of international agreements/treaties,” it added. 

The two sides also exchanged views on the evolving situation in the Middle East, where Israel has killed over 57,000 Palestinians in Gaza in military operations since October 2023. 

“They agreed on the urgent need to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza,” the statement said.

“Both sides called for the resumption of a ceasefire, and expressed support for initiatives that contribute to a just, lasting, and comprehensive peace in Palestine in accordance with the two-state solution.”

Islamabad considers EU a vital trading partner. Pakistan has become the largest beneficiary of the GSP+ trade scheme in recent years, with its businesses increasing their exports to the EU market by 108 percent since the trade scheme was launched in 2014.


Pakistan expresses solidarity as fire at Iraq shopping center kills over 60

Updated 17 July 2025
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Pakistan expresses solidarity as fire at Iraq shopping center kills over 60

  • Iraqi officials say several remain missing after huge fire broke out at Iraq’s Kut city on Wednesday night
  • Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif prays for speedy recovery of injured, offers condolences to victims’ families

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday expressed solidarity with the people and government of Iraq after a fire erupted at a shopping center in Kut city, killing more than 60 people while others remained missing.

Iraqi officials say at least 61 people have been killed and several remain missing after a huge fire broke out at a hypermarket in eastern Iraq’s Kut city on Wednesday night.

Videos on social media showed flames engulfing a five-story building in Kut overnight, where firefighters were trying to contain the fire. The mall, which had opened only a week earlier, also contained a restaurant and supermarket.

“Deeply saddened by the tragic fire in Al-Kut, Iraq, that has caused tragic loss of lives of innocent people,” the Pakistani premier wrote on social media platform X.

“My heartfelt condolences to the families who lost their loved ones in this tragedy. May the injured recover swiftly. Pakistan stands in solidarity with the people of Iraq in this hour of grief.”

Iraq’s federal cabinet on Thursday announced three days of mourning over the loss of lives. The government has also launched an investigation into the incident, saying that results will be released within 48 hours.

Unregulated buildings have caused tragic fires in Iraq in the past. In July 2021, a blaze at a hospital in Nasiriyah killed over 60.

Subsequent investigations showed the building was fueled by a highly flammable, low-cost type of “sandwich panel” cladding illegal in Iraq.


Punjab imposes ban on public gatherings as Pakistan’s monsoon toll nears 190

Updated 11 min 12 sec ago
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Punjab imposes ban on public gatherings as Pakistan’s monsoon toll nears 190

  • 63 killed in 24 hours in Punjab alone, emergency declared in Rawalpindi as 230mm of rain falls in 15 hours
  • Punjab imposes ban till August 30 to deter people from swimming in dams, rivers, canals, ponds and lakes

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s largest province Punjab has imposed a ban on public gatherings till August 30 to deter people from bathing in rivers, ponds, canals and other places, an official notification said on Thursday, as relentless monsoon rains battered large swathes of the country to push the death toll close to 190. 

Pakistan’s disaster management authorities has warned of rising water levels and flood alerts, especially in Rawalpindi and Islamabad, as intense monsoon activity swept across northeastern and central Pakistan. This prompted emergency declarations, evacuation adviseries and a heightened state of alert across provincial administrations.

In Punjab, the country’s most populous province, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) said 103 people had died and 393 had been injured in rain-related incidents since the start of the monsoon season in late June. Of these, 63 were killed in the last 24 hours and 290 were injured, while 128 houses were damaged in total, the PDMA said. 

“The Punjab Home Secretary has imposed Section 144 across the province in light of monsoon rains, rising water levels, and prevailing weather conditions,” a statement from the Punjab Home Department’s director of public relations said. 

Section 144 empowers authorities to impose a ban on public gatherings of four or more persons for a limited amount of time.

The statement said all forms of swimming and boating have been completely banned in dams, rivers, canals, ponds, and lakes across the province. The statement added bathing in rainwater collected on streets, roads, open areas or public spaces has also been banned.

 Most of the casualties in Punjab over the last 24 hours occurred in densely populated districts such as Lahore, Faisalabad, Okara, Sahiwal and Pakpattan, largely due to roof collapses in structurally vulnerable homes.

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) said the nationwide death toll stood at 124 on Wednesday. With the latest fatalities in Punjab, it has risen to at least 187.

“Over the next 24 hours, intense rainfall could trigger flash floods in cities and cause surging water levels in streams and rivers,” the NDMA said Thursday. “Heavy downpours are expected to continue in Rawalpindi and Islamabad for the next 24 to 48 hours, raising the risk of flooding in low-lying areas and along Nullah Lai.”

“Residents near the stream are advised to prepare for possible evacuation if warning sirens are sounded and cooperate fully with local authorities,” the statement added.

Authorities have urged people to vacate unsafe structures, avoid flood-prone zones and keep children indoors as flash floods, collapsing roofs and overflowing drains pose acute threats to life in several regions.

The NDMA said it had instructed local agencies to remain on high alert, ensure the availability of rescue and drainage equipment and coordinate early warning efforts. People were advised to make advance arrangements for food, drinking water and emergency supplies.

EMERGENCY IN RAWALPINDI

In Rawalpindi, a city of more than 2 million, over 230 millimeters of rainfall was recorded in just 15 hours, prompting local authorities to declare a state of emergency.

Water levels in the Nullah Lai stream surged to 20 feet at Katarian and 19 feet at Gawalmandi, according to the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA). A local holiday was declared to minimize public movement in flooded areas.

“Rescue and relief equipment was distributed in advance to district authorities ahead of the monsoon,” the PDMA said.

“In view of the emergency in Rawalpindi, Rescue 1122 currently has 16 OBM [outboard motor] boats, 205 life jackets, 31 ambulances, 19 fire brigades and 4 rescue vehicles on standby.”

Evacuation announcements were being made from mosques in high-risk areas. Authorities called on residents living near Nullah Lai to cooperate with relocation efforts if needed.

In the federal capital Islamabad, rain continued intermittently for several hours. Sanitation workers were deployed to clear clogged drains, assistant commissioners inspected stormwater infrastructure and traffic police were dispatched to manage congestion on waterlogged roads.

FLASH FLOODS IN PUNJAB

In other parts of Punjab, including Chakwal, heavy rainfall caused significant disruption. A cloudburst in Chakwal dropped 423 millimeters of rain, flooding low-lying areas and inundating homes, according to local TV channel Geo News. Rescue operations were launched and evacuations were underway.

In Jhelum, the Pakistan Army conducted an emergency airlift operation after flash floods stranded 40 people in the Deras of Mouza Dhok Biddar and Nakkan Kalan. Due to heavy rainfall, boat rescues were not possible, and helicopters were used to evacuate all individuals safely.

Pakistan contributes less than one percent to global greenhouse gas emissions but is among the countries most vulnerable to climate change. Shifting monsoon patterns, accelerated glacial melt and extreme weather events have increased the frequency and severity of climate-linked disasters.

In 2022, record-breaking monsoon rains combined with glacial melt submerged nearly a third of Pakistan, killing more than 1,700 people and displacing over 8 million.