Islamabad: The United States has repatriated more than 450 cultural artifacts to Pakistan during a ceremony at the Islamabad Museum, marking a collaborative effort between the two countries to combat the illicit trafficking of antiquities and safeguard cultural heritage.

According to Embassy of the United States of America, the artifacts, which were illegally removed from Pakistan, have been identified and recovered through cooperation between U.S. law enforcement agencies and Pakistani authorities. These objects, which are now preserved and displayed in Pakistan, provide scholars and the public with access to an essential part of the country’s cultural legacy.

During the ceremony, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs S. Paul Kapur highlighted the significance of the artifacts, including terracotta figurines over four thousand years old. He emphasized that each artifact tells a story and belongs to the people of Pakistan.

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 their return following investigations into smuggling networks. Over the past decade, the ATU, with support from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, has repatriated 514 antiquities to Pakistan, valued at nearly $23 million.

Among the recovered items is a rare 2nd-century C.E. Buddhapada sculpture, valued at $1.1 million, which was looted from Pakistan in the 1980s. Other notable artifacts include a Gandharan frieze, ancient Mehrgarh terracotta figurines, a statue of the Bodhisattva Maitreya, and a Gold Strato I coin from 105-85 B.C.E. These efforts have resulted in multiple convictions and highlight ongoing international cooperation to combat illicit antiquities trafficking.

Pakistani officials hailed the return of the artifacts as a significant step toward preserving the nation’s history. They expressed gratitude for U.S. cooperation and stressed the importance of continued international efforts to curb the illegal trade in cultural property.

The repatriation highlights broader collaboration between the U.S. and Pakistan in law enforcement, cultural preservation, and heritage protection.