Mumtaz Hussain

NEW YORK: A remarkable collection of ancient artifacts, recently recovered and repatriated to Pakistan, was unveiled to the public at a landmark cultural exhibition in New York.

Titled “Whispers from Gandhara – Showcase of Gandhara Civilization and Buddhist Heritage of Pakistan, the show was held at the Pakistan Consulate General and co-hosted by the Permanent Mission of Pakistan to the United Nations,

As many as 39 rare objects, dating from the 3rd century BCE to the 4th century CE, were retrieved through the efforts of the Manhattan District Attorney’s Antiquities Trafficking Unit and officially handed back to the Government of Pakistan in a signing ceremony held during the event.

Held at the Pakistan Consulate General and co-hosted by the Permanent Mission of Pakistan to the United Nations, the exhibition highlighted the spiritual and artistic legacy of the Gandhara and Indus Valley civilizations. Artifacts included intricately carved statues of the Buddha and Bodhisattvas, narrative relief panels, ceremonial vessels, and a figurine of a mother goddess, each reflecting the syncretic influences of Greek, Persian, and Central Asian cultures.

Speaking on behalf of District Attorney Alvin Bragg, Colonel Matthew Bogdanos, head of the Antiquities Trafficking Unit, emphasized the significance of returning stolen heritage and praised the cooperation between U.S. and Pakistani authorities in protecting cultural property.

The event drew a distinguished audience, including United Nations diplomats, senior U.S. officials, members of the Pakistani diaspora, and cultural figures.

In her video message, Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch lauded the collaboration and reaffirmed the country’s commitment to safeguarding its ancient heritage.

Consul General Aamer Ahmed Atozai, in his opening remarks, shared his personal ties to the Gandhara region, particularly the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Takht-i-Bahi near his hometown of Nowshera. Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmed, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN, described Gandhara as “a living testament to the values of peace, tolerance, and dialogue.”

The evening concluded with a viewing of the restored artifacts and a traditional Qawwali performance, leaving attendees with a powerful impression of Pakistan’s enduring civilizational legacy and its dedication to preserving cultural heritage for future generations.