United States: The United States has repatriated more than 450 cultural artefacts to Pakistan during a formal ceremony held at the Islamabad Museum, marking a significant recovery of historically important objects that were illegally removed from Pakistan and later traced through international investigations.
According to The News, the returned collection includes artefacts of major archaeological and cultural value that were smuggled out of Pakistan over several decades. The recovery was made possible through coordinated efforts between US law enforcement agencies and Pakistani authorities.
The artefacts were recovered by the Antiquities Trafficking Unit (ATU) of the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, which has been investigating international smuggling networks involved in the illicit trade of stolen antiquities. New York District Attorney Alvin Bragg formally announced the repatriation following investigations into foreign-operated trafficking networks.
Among the most significant recovered items is a rare 2nd-century CE Buddhapada sculpture, valued at approximately $1.1 million, which was looted from Pakistan in the 1980s and later trafficked to New York. Authorities identified it as one of the most valuable pieces in the returned collection.
Other artefacts include a Gandharan frieze depicting Buddhist figures, Mehrgarh terracotta figurines dating from 3500–2600 BCE, and a statue of the Bodhisattva Maitreya, representing Pakistan’s ancient Buddhist and pre-Harappan cultural heritage.
The collection also includes a Gold Strato I coin (105–85 BCE), recovered in 2023 as part of ongoing investigations. Officials said the broader operation has resulted in multiple convictions and reflects sustained international cooperation against illicit antiquities trafficking.
Pakistani authorities said the returned artefacts will be preserved and displayed in museums across the country, allowing scholars and the public to reconnect with Pakistan’s cultural and historical heritage.