Thirty-six antiquities stolen from Pakistan and smuggled to the United States were returned to the Government of Pakistan on Monday, and they will now be brought back home.
U.S. hands back 36 smuggled antiquities to Pakistan
NEW YORK, Sep 16 (APP):Thirty-six antiquities stolen from Pakistan and smuggled to the United States were returned to the Government of Pakistan on Monday, and they will now be brought back home.
A ceremony at the New York County District Attorney’s Office marked the handover.
Pakistan’s Consul General in New York, Amir Ahmed Atozai, signed the agreement.
The agreement pertains to the repatriation of 36 artifacts, including a Grey Schist Figure of Yakshi dated to the 4th Century C.E. and 35 Terracotta Fertility Figures dated 2700-3000 B.C.
Speaking at the occasion, the consul general expressed appreciation to the Antiquities Trafficking Unit of the District Attorney’s Office for their continued support.
Cultural heritage is part of the common heritage of humanity, Atozai said, adding that lawful recovery and return of artifacts enable future generations in Pakistan and around the world to study, appreciate and learn from these extraordinary testimonies to human civilization.
