Stolen artifacts returned to Pakistan worth $3.3M by US

The United States has returned Pakistan the 104 stolen artifacts worth about $3.3 million during an evacuation ceremony joined by Pakistan Consul General Ayesha Ali and officials of US Homeland Security Investigations.

The recuperated art pieces incorporated a schist reliquary casket, circa 3rd-4th century, valued at $175,000, a gilded schist head of a Bodhisattva, circa 2nd-3rd century, valued at $250,000, and a stucco Bodhisattva, circa 3rd-6th century, valued at around $750,000.

The New York-based art thief Subhash Kapoor, who is running a $100 million international smuggling racket, is currently in prison, along with his assistants who aided him in smuggling these artifacts to the US.

The HSI led a comprehensive investigation and recuperated antiquities trafficked to the US after prowling from several kingdoms comprising Pakistan.

District Attorney Vance said: “This magnificent collection of artifacts returned to the Pakistanis today epitomize that nation’s rich cultural heritage and humanity’s never-ending quest for enlightenment and peace as every stolen artifact tells its own story”.

Pakistan’s Consul General Ayesha Ali welcomed the verdict of the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office and the Department of Homeland Security for their exertions in recovering the filched cultural resources of Pakistan.

She also articulated faith that the convalesced art pieces will be exhibited in Pakistani museums soon.

Whereas, earlier in November 2020, the US office had sent back 45 antiquities to Pakistan that were recuperated in 2015 from Nayef Homsi who is a scandalous trafficker convoluted in the prohibited looting, exportation, and sale of ancient art from the South Asian region.

Furthermore, the management also reimbursed 497 relics to 11 countries since August 2020.