NEW YORK: More than 100 stolen items valued at more than $13 million were returned to Pakistan in a ceremony at the district attorney's office in Manhattan, New York, on Tuesday.
The United States returned the 133 pieces of stolen antiquities in the fifth such transfer to the country.
The precious works of art dating back to the Gandhara period were stolen from Pakistan.
Pakistan's Consul General in New York, Aamer Ahmed Atozai, received the artifacts on behalf of the Pakistani government.
On the occasion, Atozai expressed his gratitude to the district attorney's office and its antiquities trafficking unit, and to Homeland Security Investigations for their efforts in recovering Pakistan's stolen cultural treasures.
Some of the recovered antiquities were also displayed at the ceremony.
A post on X, formerly Twitter, by the Consulate General of Pakistan said Atozai told those attending the ceremony that the recovered pieces will adorn museums across Pakistan.
He specified that the consul general also signed an agreement with the Manhattan district attorney, Alvin Bragg.
Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Public Prosecutor Matthew Bogdanos said he was delighted with the return of these “glorious pieces of Pakistani heritage” to Pakistan, whose civilization dates back 5,000 years.
