The Islamabad Museum opened its doors to a high-profile exhibition titled ‘Legacy Returns Home’, showcasing selected artifacts repatriated from the United States and underscoring Pakistan’s ongoing efforts in artifact repatriation.
Federal Minister for National Heritage and Culture Division Aurangzeb Khan Khichi inaugurated the exhibition and described the return as the restoration of a vital part of Pakistan’s history and identity. He highlighted the artistic and civilizational continuity represented by the objects and reiterated the government’s commitment to strengthen legal and institutional frameworks for preservation.
The exhibition features rare stone and stucco Buddhist sculptures, relic caskets, narrative reliefs of the Gandhara tradition, a rare gold coin from the Indo-Greek period, and terracotta figurines and painted pottery from Balochistan dating back to 7000 BC. Many of these pieces were intercepted by Homeland Security authorities in the United States and handed over by the District Attorney’s Office of New York to Pakistan’s High Commission under Article 7(b)(ii) of the UNESCO 1970 Convention and the bilateral agreement signed on 30 January 2024.
Secretary National Heritage and Culture Division Asad Rehman Gilani framed the exhibition as a sign of justice and international cooperation, noting that organized criminal networks continue to target vulnerable archaeological sites, particularly in the Gandhara region. He cited the Antiquities Act 1975, Pakistan’s status as a signatory to the UNESCO 1970 Convention, and the 2024 Hold Harmless Release Agreement with the United States as key tools in combating illicit trafficking and advancing professional collaboration.
The minister and departmental leadership thanked U.S. authorities, including Homeland Security, U.S. law enforcement, the District Attorney’s Office in New York, and the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad for their role in returning cultural property. Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Embassy in Pakistan S. Paul Kapur attended as Guest of Honour and noted the broad bilateral cooperation in education, health, agriculture, heritage, and culture.
Director General Amanullah and senior officials from the Department of Archaeology and Museums emphasized ongoing priorities of conservation, documentation, site protection, and capacity building to safeguard Pakistan’s archaeological wealth. The display aims to raise public awareness about the damaging effects of illicit antiquities trafficking and to reaffirm Pakistan’s resolve to protect its cultural heritage.
Official records presented at the event show that a total of 513 artifacts have been repatriated from the United States in phases: 39 in 2007, 46 on 31 August 2021, 104 on 9 September 2023, 191 on 6 February 2025, and 133 on 26 August 2025. The ‘Legacy Returns Home’ exhibition brings a selection of these items back into public view and highlights the practical outcomes of sustained diplomatic and law enforcement cooperation in artifact repatriation.
