US returns 133 stolen artifacts to Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: The United States this week returned 133 pieces of stolen antiquities valued over $13 million to Pakistan, marking the fifth such transfer to the South Asian country from where artifacts dating back to the Gandhara period were stolen.

Man-made objects of special cultural, historical, or archaeological significance, such as artwork or tools, are called artifacts.

According to a 2018 Standard Chartered Bank research, the illicit antiquities trade is a multibillion-dollar global industry. According to a report by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), on the supply side, the trade is frequently a significant source of finance for criminal and militant groups.

Read More: Swat police foil attempt to smuggle valuable antiques

“The United States returned to Pakistan 133 pieces of stolen antiquities worth over $13 million at a ceremony at the Manhattan District Attorney’s office in New York.” sources.

Some of the antiquities were displayed during the ceremony at which Pakistani Consul General in New York Aamer Ahmed Atozai said the artifacts would adorn museums across Pakistan.

“The consul general also signed an agreement with the Assistant District Attorney in Manhattan, Matthew Bogdanos, who heads the Antiquities Trafficking Unit for the repatriation of the returned artifacts to Pakistan,” sources said.

Bogdanos said he was delighted to return “glorious pieces of Pakistani heritage” to the country whose civilization dates back to 5,000 years.

The US and Pakistan work together frequently to return stolen artifacts to Pakistan.

August 2022 saw the US restore 104 antiques to Pakistan, valued at $3.3 million, which were among thousands of antiquities taken from Kapoor and robbed from Asian nations.