NEW YORK: Over a 100 stolen artefacts worth over $13 million were handed back to Pakistan in a ceremony held at Manhattan district attorney’s office in New York.
The United States returned the 133 pieces of stolen antiquities in the 5th such transfer to the country. The precious art pieces that date back to the Gandhara period were stolen from Pakistan. Pakistan Consul General in New York Aamer Ahmed Atozai received the artefacts on behalf of the Pakistani government. Atozai expressed gratitude to the district attorney office and its antiquities trafficking unit, and Homeland security investigations for their efforts in retrieving the stolen cultural treasures of Pakistan. Some of the recovered antiquities were also displayed at the ceremony.A post on X, formerly Twitter, by the Pakistan Consulate General said that Atozai told the participants of the ceremony that the recovered pieces will adorn the museums across Pakistan.It stated that the consul general also signed an agreement with the District Attorney in Manhattan Alvin Bragg. Assistant District Attorney Matthew Bogdanos said that he was delighted upon the return these “glorious pieces of Pakistani heritage” to Pakistan whose civilisation dates back to 5,000 years.
