{"id":4096,"date":"2026-05-14T07:43:40","date_gmt":"2026-05-14T07:43:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.worldwatchalert.com\/?p=4096"},"modified":"2026-05-14T07:43:41","modified_gmt":"2026-05-14T07:43:41","slug":"us-returns-450-cultural-artefacts-to-pakistan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.worldwatchalert.com\/?p=4096","title":{"rendered":"US returns 450 cultural artefacts to Pakistan"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

ISLAMABAD: More than 450 cultural artefacts were formally handed over to Pakistan by the United States during a ceremony held at the Islamabad Museum on Wednesday.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to The News<\/em>, the repatriated collection comprises historically important objects that were illegally taken out of Pakistan and later traced and recovered through coordinated efforts between US law enforcement agencies and Pakistani authorities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The artefacts will now remain in Pakistan, where they are expected to be preserved and exhibited for researchers, historians and the general public, helping reconnect the country with an important part of its cultural heritage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All of the recovered antiquities were traced by the Antiquities Trafficking Unit (ATU) of the Manhattan District Attorney\u2019s Office. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg announced the return of the artefacts after investigations conducted by the ATU into smuggling networks and foreign-linked criminal organisations involved in the illegal antiquities trade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the most notable pieces returned is a rare Buddhapada sculpture from the 2nd century CE, estimated to be worth $1.1 million. The sculpture was looted from Pakistan during the 1980s before being trafficked to New York.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The recovered collection also includes a Gandharan frieze portraying Buddhist figures, ancient terracotta figurines from Mehrgarh dating between 3500 and 2600 BCE, and a statue of Bodhisattva Maitreya.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Authorities also recovered a Gold Strato I coin dating back to 105-85 BCE in 2023. Officials said the recoveries and related investigations have resulted in several convictions and reflect continued international cooperation against the illegal trafficking of antiquities.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

ISLAMABAD: More than 450 cultural artefacts were formally handed over to Pakistan by the United States during a ceremony held at the Islamabad Museum on Wednesday. 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