Agreement signed in New York paves the way for the repatriation of 36 antiquities illegally removed from Pakistan.
The United States has agreed to return 36 antiquities stolen from Pakistan and illegally smuggled out of the country, paving the way for their repatriation.
A ceremony was held at the New York County District Attorney’s Office, where Pakistan’s Consul General in New York, Aamir Ahmed Atozai, signed an agreement concerning the return of the artefacts.
The collection includes a Grey Schist Figure of a Yakshi dating to the 4th century CE. The remaining 35 objects are Terracotta Fertility Figures believed to date from between 2700 and 3000 BCE.
The antiquities are regarded as important examples of Pakistan’s ancient cultural heritage and reflect the region’s long history of art and civilisation.
Under the agreement, all 36 artefacts will be legally returned to Pakistan. Their repatriation marks a step in efforts to recover cultural objects that were unlawfully removed from the country and transferred abroad.
Speaking at the ceremony, Atozai said the legal return of the stolen antiquities would help preserve Pakistan’s cultural heritage and enable future generations to learn about the country’s ancient civilisations.
He also emphasised the importance of protecting historical artefacts and ensuring that cultural heritage remains accessible to the people and future generations.
The return of the objects follows cooperation between Pakistani authorities and US law enforcement officials to identify and recover antiquities that had been illegally exported from Pakistan.
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