On May 14, 2026, the United States formally returned over 450 cultural artefacts to Pakistan during a ceremony at the Islamabad Museum. This significant repatriation marks the culmination of collaborative efforts between US law enforcement and Pakistani authorities to recover artefacts illegally removed from Pakistan.
The collection includes a rare 2nd-century CE Buddhapada sculpture, valued at $1.1 million, which was looted in the 1980s and trafficked to New York. Other notable items are a Gandharan frieze depicting Buddhist figures, ancient Mehrgarh terracotta figurines dating back to 3500-2600 BCE, and a statue of the Bodhisattva Maitreya.
Recovered by the Antiquities Trafficking Unit (ATU) of the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, these artefacts were identified through investigations into smuggling networks involving foreign-operated criminal organizations. District Attorney Alvin Bragg emphasized the importance of international cooperation in combating illicit antiquities trafficking.
Among the recovered treasures is a Gold Strato I coin from 105-85 BCE, seized in 2023. These efforts have resulted in multiple convictions, underscoring the ongoing commitment to preserving cultural heritage.
The repatriation of these artefacts not only restores Pakistan’s cultural legacy but also strengthens diplomatic ties, setting a precedent for future cooperation in cultural preservation.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, May 14, 2026
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