Ancient artefacts stolen from Pakistan returned by France

France has returned several stolen artefacts from Pakistan to its government. There were around 400 artefacts which included flower vases, urns, and goblets, among other things belonging from the second and third millennia B.C.
Several of these ancient pieces were sent in parcels addressing to a gallery in Paris in September 2006. The packages were seized by the customs officers at Paris’s Charles de Gaulle airport. These were later taken to the National Centre for Scientific Research, where they were identified as things looted from in Pakistan’s Indus Valley cemeteries.

Two weeks later, another parcel was discovered that was carrying pottery and terracotta items. It was also addressed to the same gallery. A search operation was organised and hundreds of ceramic pieces were recovered from the unnamed gallery’s premises.
Recently, the French government returned all the 445 artefacts to Pakistan in a ceremony that was organised at the Pakistan Embassy in Paris. The estimated value of the artefacts is 139000 euros ($157000).

A senior official from Pakistan mentioned that it is a very special and emotional moment for them as it feels like a part of Pakistan’s heritage has come back home. He further mentioned that arrangements are being made to send all the items back to their country where they’ll be put in one of the best museums of Pakistan.

On the other hand, the unnamed gallery has been charged a fine of huge fine that amounts to somewhere between 100000 to 200,000 Euros for taking in the stolen artefacts.

Emmanuel Macron, the French President, is making sure that the ancient artworks return to their region. In November last year, he had announced to return several objects that were put in French museums back to Benin. In addition, France has also returned a number of products back to Peru this year.