36 smuggled Pakistani antiquities to be returned from US

The United States has agreed to return 36 antiquities that were stolen from Pakistan and illegally smuggled out of the country, paving the way for the artefacts to be brought back to Pakistan.

A ceremony was held at the New York County District Attorney’s Office, where Pakistan’s Consul General in New York, Aamir Ahmed Atozai, signed an agreement concerning the repatriation of the antiquities.

The collection includes a Grey Schist Figure of a Yakshi, dating back to the 4th century CE. The remaining 35 artefacts are Terracotta Fertility Figures believed to date from between 2700 and 3000 BCE.

The antiquities are considered important examples of Pakistan’s ancient cultural heritage and reflect the region’s long history of art and civilisation.

Under the agreement, all 36 artefacts will be legally returned to Pakistan. The repatriation marks an important step in efforts to recover cultural objects that were unlawfully removed from the country and transferred abroad.

Speaking at the ceremony, Consul General Aamir Ahmed Atozai said the legal return of the stolen antiquities would help preserve Pakistan’s cultural heritage and allow future generations to learn about the country’s ancient civilisations.

He emphasised the importance of protecting historical artefacts and ensuring that cultural heritage remains accessible to the people and future generations.

The return of the objects follows cooperation between Pakistani authorities and US law enforcement officials to identify and recover antiquities that had been illegally exported from Pakistan.