Over 100 stolen artefacts, valued at over $13 million, were ceremoniously returned to Pakistan at the Manhattan District Attorney’s office in New York.
This significant event marked the fifth repatriation of stolen antiquities to Pakistan by the United States.
These artefacts, originating from the renowned Gandhara period, had been unlawfully removed from Pakistan.
Aamer Ahmed Atozai, the Consul General of Pakistan in New York, formally received the artefacts on behalf of the Pakistani government.
At the ceremony, Atozai thanked the district attorney’s office, Homeland Security Investigations, and the antiquities trafficking unit for diligently recovering these vital cultural treasures.
A selection of the restored antiquities was also exhibited during the ceremony.
A post on X, previously known as Twitter, by the Pakistan Consulate General, noted that Atozai announced to the attendees that the artefacts would be showcased in various museums across Pakistan.
Furthermore, the consul general finalized an agreement with Alvin Bragg, the District Attorney of Manhattan.
*Additional news input sourced from the APP.
