In a significant development, the United States handed over more than 450 cultural artefacts to Pakistan during a ceremony held at the Islamabad Museum on Wednesday. These items, which hold great historical importance, were unlawfully taken from Pakistan and later identified and recovered through close collaboration between US law enforcement agencies and Pakistani authorities.
The returned collection will now be preserved and exhibited in Pakistan, providing scholars and the general public with renewed access to a vital part of the nation’s cultural heritage. The Antiquities Trafficking Unit (ATU) of the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office played a crucial role in recovering these antiquities.
District Attorney Alvin Bragg announced the repatriation following investigations by the ATU into smuggling networks, including criminal organizations operating internationally. Among the artefacts is a rare Buddhapada sculpture from the 2nd century CE, valued at $1.1 million, which was looted from Pakistan in the 1980s and trafficked to New York.
Other notable recovered items include a Gandharan frieze featuring Buddhist figures, ancient terracotta figurines from Mehrgarh dating back to 3500-2600 BCE, and a statue of the Bodhisattva Maitreya. The seizures also encompass a Gold Strato I coin from 105-85 BCE, which was recovered in 2023.
These recoveries have resulted in multiple convictions and underscore the ongoing international cooperation aimed at combating the illicit trafficking of antiquities.
