Pakistan, U.S. cooperation in cultural heritage spotlight as federal minister opens repatriated antiquities exhibition

ISLAMABAD, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 13th May, 2026) Federal Minister for National Heritage and Culture, Aurangzeb Khan Khichi on Wednesday said the repatriation of priceless Pakistani antiquities from the United States reflected the deepening cultural partnership and mutual commitment of Pakistan and the U.S. towards the protection of shared human heritage, describing the returned artifacts as "a part of Pakistan's soul, history and civilizational identity."

Speaking at the inauguration of the special exhibition "Legacy Returns Home" at the Islamabad Museum, he said the recovered objects were not merely artifacts but enduring symbols of Pakistan's ancient civilizations, artistic excellence and historical continuity.

The minister said Pakistan, home to the ancient Indus Valley Civilization and the globally renowned Gandhara Art tradition, possessed one of the world's richest cultural legacies, which continued to inspire scholars, historians, artists and researchers across the world, and must be safeguarded against illegal excavation, theft and smuggling.

Calling illicit trafficking of antiquities a "crime against humanity," he said such acts deprived nations and future generations of their historical memory and collective identity.

He said the government remained committed to strengthening legal, institutional and professional mechanisms for the preservation and recovery of stolen heritage, stressing that international cooperation was essential in combating the illicit trade in cultural property.

Aurangzeb Khichi appreciated the cooperation of the United States government, U.S. law enforcement agencies, Homeland Security authorities, cultural institutions, the District Attorney's Office of New York and the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad in the successful repatriation of the artifacts. He also acknowledged the dedicated role of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Pakistan's diplomatic missions abroad in facilitating the recovery and return of Pakistan's cultural assets.

The minister referred to the bilateral agreement signed between Pakistan and the United States on January 30, 2024, aimed at protecting Pakistan's cultural property and restricting the illicit movement of antiquities, terming it a significant milestone in bilateral heritage cooperation.

The exhibition, organised by the National Heritage and Culture Division and the Department of Archaeology and Museums, features selected antiquities intercepted by U.

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S. Homeland Security authorities and subsequently handed over to the High Commission of Pakistan in New York by the District Attorney's Office of New York under Article 7(b)(ii) of the UNESCO 1970 Convention and the bilateral agreement signed between the two countries on January 30, 2024.

The displayed collection spans multiple historical periods and includes rare stone and stucco Buddhist sculptures, relic caskets, narrative reliefs of the Gandhara civilisation, a rare gold coin from the Indo-Greek period, as well as terracotta figurines and painted pottery from Balochistan dating back to 7,000 BC.

Assistant Secretary at the U.S. Embassy Pakistan, Mr. S. Paul Kapur, as a guest of honor, said the United States was celebrating 200 years of independence and had successfully preserved its historical heritage and cultural legacy. He said the United States enjoyed strong bilateral relations with Pakistan across multiple sectors, including education, health, agriculture, heritage and culture.

Secretary National Heritage and Culture Division, Asad Rehman Gilani said the exhibition symbolised justice, international cooperation and a collective commitment towards preserving humanity's shared heritage. He noted that Pakistan was a signatory to the UNESCO 1970 Convention and that the 2024 Hold Harmless Release Agreement had opened new avenues for collaboration in heritage protection, capacity building and technical cooperation.

He informed the audience that since 2007, a total of 513 cultural artifacts of Pakistani origin had been successfully repatriated from the United States in different phases — 39 in 2007, 46 in August 2021, 104 in September 2023, 191 in February 2025 and 133 in August 2025.

Director General of the Department of Archaeology and Museums, Amanullah termed the exhibition a celebration of the return of priceless pieces of Pakistan's history and identity, and said it would help raise greater public awareness regarding the devastating impact of illicit trafficking of antiquities and the importance of protecting archaeological heritage.

Minister of State for National Heritage and Culture, Huzaifa Rehman, Parliamentary Secretary for National Heritage and Culture Farah Naz Akbar, Chairperson of the National Assembly Standing Committee on National Heritage and Culture Division Syeda Nosheen Iftikhar, and MNA Tufail Jutt were also present on the occasion.