US Has Repatriated Stolen Artifacts Worth $13 Million To Pakistan

This week, the United States handed back 133 stolen ancient objects, estimated at over $13 million, to Pakistan. This marks the fifth instance of such repatriation to the South Asian nation, which had many of its artifacts, dating back to the Gandhara era, stolen.

Antiquities are items made by humans, such as artworks or tools, holding significant cultural, historical, or archaeological importance. The illegal trade of antiquities is a global industry worth billions of dollars, with proceeds often funding criminal and militant activities, as highlighted by a 2018 report from Standard Chartered Bank and the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP).

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The handover ceremony took place at the Manhattan District Attorney’s office in New York, as reported by the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP). During the event, some of the artifacts were showcased, and Pakistani Consul General in New York, Aamer Ahmed Atozai, mentioned plans to exhibit them in museums across Pakistan.

An agreement was also signed between the Consul General and Matthew Bogdanos, Assistant District Attorney in Manhattan leading the Antiquities Trafficking Unit, for the return of these artifacts to Pakistan. Bogdanos expressed satisfaction in returning these “magnificent pieces of Pakistani heritage” to a country with a rich history dating back millennia.

Pakistan and the US have a history of collaboration in repatriating stolen artifacts. In previous instances, such as in 2021 and August 2022, stolen antiquities were returned to Pakistan following investigations into art dealer Subhash Kapoor.