KEY POINTS
- America repatriated these illegally smuggled cultural artifacts to Pakistan during a ceremony.
- Recovered treasures include a rare $1.1 million Buddhapada sculpture looted from Pakistan in the 1980s and ancient Mehrgarh terracotta figurines dating back over 4,000 years.
- Manhattan District Attorney’s Antiquities Trafficking Unit has now repatriated 514 artifacts worth nearly $23 million to Pakistan over the past decade.
- U.S. Assistant Secretary of State S. Paul Kapur declared, ‘Each object belongs to the people of Pakistan. And each now is home.’
ISLAMABAD: The United States has formally handed over more than 450 cultural artifacts to Pakistan during a ceremony at the Islamabad Museum, renewing the two nations’ joint resolve to fight the illegal trade of antiquities and safeguard cultural heritage.
Learn how U.S.-Pakistan cooperation helped return cultural artifacts to their rightful home, further strengthening our partnerships and protecting shared heritage.⁰https://t.co/Meu9EEOI62⁰#USPakistanProtectingHeritage ⁰⁰امریکہ اور پاکستان کے تعاون سے تاریخی نوادرات کو اُن کے…
— U.S. Embassy Islamabad (@usembislamabad) May 13, 2026
The returned collection consists of historically significant objects that were unlawfully taken from Pakistan and later traced and recovered through collaborative efforts between U.S. law enforcement agencies and Pakistani authorities.
These artifacts will now be preserved and placed on public display in Pakistan, offering scholars and citizens an opportunity to reconnect with a vital part of the nation’s cultural legacy.
U.S. Official: ‘Each object now is home’
Addressing the ceremony, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs S. Paul Kapur stated, “These artifacts represent chapters of Pakistan’s history, connecting generations to their heritage. Among these artifacts are terracotta figurines that are more than four thousand years old.”
He further remarked, “Each of these objects tells a story. Each belongs to the people of Pakistan. And each now is home.”
Manhattan DA’s unit led recovery efforts
The Antiquities Trafficking Unit (ATU) of the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office was responsible for recovering all of these antiquities. District Attorney Alvin Bragg announced their return to Pakistan following ATU investigations into smuggling networks, including criminal organizations operating from abroad.
Over the past decade, the ATU, with support from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, has recovered and repatriated 514 antiquities to Pakistan, valued at nearly $23 million. These items were confiscated through criminal probes targeting international trafficking rings.
The event highlights the coordinated efforts of multiple U.S. government agencies working toward a safer and more secure nation.
US has formally returned more than 450 cultural artifacts to Pakistan during a ceremony at the Islamabad Museum, underscoring the shared commitment of both countries to combat the illicit trafficking of antiquities and preserve cultural heritage.#Pakistan #USA #CulturalHeritage… pic.twitter.com/3SmLrsSeDj
— Pakistan TV (@PakTVGlobal) May 13, 2026
Priceless atifacts include $1.1 million Buddhapada sculpture
Among the recovered artifacts is a rare 2nd-century C.E. Buddhapada sculpture worth $1.1 million, which was plundered from Pakistan in the 1980s and smuggled into New York.
Other notable recovered items include a Gandharan frieze depicting Buddhist figures, ancient Mehrgarh terracotta figurines dating back to 3500–2600 B.C.E., and a statue of the Bodhisattva Maitreya.
The seizures also feature a Gold Strato I coin from 105–85 B.C.E., recovered in 2023. These efforts have resulted in multiple convictions and underscore the continuing international collaboration to combat illicit antiquities trafficking.
Pakistani officials welcome return of national treasures
Pakistani officials welcomed the repatriation of the artifacts, calling it a major step toward preserving the country’s rich and diverse history. They thanked the United States for its cooperation and stressed the need for sustained international efforts to stop the illegal trade in cultural property.
The repatriation reinforces the wider U.S.-Pakistan partnership in law enforcement, cultural preservation, and heritage protection.
