US authorities have returned 36 antiquities that were allegedly stolen from Pakistan and smuggled into the United States, with the artifacts set to be brought back to Pakistan.
A handover ceremony was held at the New York County District Attorney’s Office, where Pakistan’s Consul General in New York, Aamir Ahmad Atozai, signed an agreement concerning the return of the antiquities.
Ancient artifacts among recovered objects
The recovered collection includes a Grey Schist Figure of a Yakshi, dating to the fourth century AD, along with 35 Terracotta Fertility Figures believed to date from between 2700 and 3000 BC.
The artifacts represent different periods of the region’s ancient cultural heritage and are now due to be repatriated to Pakistan.
Pakistan’s Consul General said the legal return of stolen antiquities would provide future generations with an opportunity to learn about and connect with the country’s ancient civilization.