In a major step towards protecting historical heritage, the United States has officially returned more than 450 cultural artefacts to Pakistan during a special ceremony held at the Islamabad Museum. The recovered items were previously smuggled out of Pakistan and later traced through investigations carried out by US authorities in cooperation with Pakistani officials.
The returned collection contains several priceless objects connected to Pakistan’s rich ancient history. These artefacts were recovered by the Antiquities Trafficking Unit (ATU) of the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office after extensive investigations into international smuggling networks involved in illegal antiquities trade.
One of the most valuable items in the collection is a rare 2nd century CE Buddhapada sculpture, estimated to be worth around $1.1 million. According to officials, the sculpture was looted from Pakistan during the 1980s and later trafficked to New York through illegal channels.
Other recovered treasures include a Gandharan frieze showing Buddhist figures, ancient Mehrgarh terracotta figurines dating back to 3500 to 2600 BCE, and a historic statue of Bodhisattva Maitreya. Authorities also confirmed the recovery of a rare Gold Strato I coin from 105 to 85 BCE, which was seized in 2023.
District Attorney Alvin Bragg announced the repatriation and highlighted the importance of international cooperation in stopping the illegal trafficking of cultural property. Officials stated that these efforts have already resulted in several convictions linked to smuggling operations.
Pakistani authorities welcomed the return of the artefacts and said the historical items would now be preserved and displayed for scholars, researchers, and the general public. The repatriation is being seen as an important achievement for Pakistan’s cultural heritage sector and a positive example of global cooperation against the illegal trade of antiquities.
