ISLAMABAD: The United States has returned more than 450 cultural artefacts to Pakistan, including rare Buddhist sculptures, ancient coins and archaeological relics illegally smuggled out of the country decades ago.
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 handover ceremony took place at the Islamabad Museum on Wednesday, where officials said the recovered collection reflected growing cooperation between Pakistani authorities and US law enforcement agencies in tackling antiquities trafficking.
According to officials, the artefacts were identified and recovered through investigations led by the Antiquities Trafficking Unit of the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office.
Among the most valuable items returned was a rare second-century Buddhapada sculpture valued at approximately $1.1 million. The sculpture was looted from Pakistan during the 1980s before being trafficked to New York.
Other recovered artefacts include a Gandharan frieze featuring Buddhist figures, terracotta figurines from the ancient Mehrgarh civilisation dating between 3500 and 2600 BCE, and a statue of Bodhisattva Maitreya.
Officials also confirmed the return of a rare Gold Strato I coin dating from 105-85 BCE, which was recovered during investigations in 2023.
The recovered artefacts will now be preserved and displayed in Pakistan, allowing researchers, historians and the public to reconnect with parts of the country’s cultural and historical heritage.
US Assistant Secretary Paul Kapur attended the ceremony in Islamabad alongside Pakistani officials.
Authorities said the repatriation highlights continued international efforts to combat illegal antiquities smuggling networks.
