US Repatriates Priceless Gandharan Artifacts to Pakistan 
'Pakistan Times' National News Desk

ISLAMABAD: The return of priceless Gandharan artifacts "represents a very significant example of the importance of cooperation between Pakistan and the United States," the U.S. Ambassador Ryan C. Crocker emphasized during a ceremony hosted by Federal Minister for Culture, Dr. G. G. Jammal, marking the repatriation of Gandharan artifacts at the Islamabad Museum, Sir Syed Memorial Building.

"It is a sign of maturity, respect and cooperation in our law enforcement relationship. It is an important sign of our true respect for the profound cultural heritage of Pakistan," the Ambassador said.

Among the 39 repatriated artifacts items recovered were Buddhist statues, a rare cup from the second century before the Common Era and a number of sculptures, including a starving Buddha.

Also, joining the Culture Minister at the ceremonial return of retrieved artifacts, were other Pakistani and American officials, including the Director General of Archaeology & Museums, Dr. Fazal Dad Kakar; the Secretary of Culture, Salim Gul Shaikh; the Director of Antiquities, Dr. Mohamed Ashraf; the Director General Customs Intelligence, Maj Gen. Faheem; and a representative of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Mr. Keith C. Ryan.

Ambassador Crocker said that the artifacts displayed here were shipped illegally from Pakistan to an international black market in cultural artifacts. They were seized and recovered by agents of the United States Department of Homeland Security in the port of Newark in September, 2005.

The Ambassador explained that the individual who was destined to receive the artifacts abandoned the items, and they remained in U.S. federal custody while a senior agent of the Department of Homeland Security investigated these artifacts.

The Department of Homeland Security worked with various experts in the field of South Asian art and with staff from the U.S. State Department.●