The minister called the artifacts part of Pakistan’s soul, highlighting the Indus Valley Civilization and Gandhara art as a civilizational journey that inspires scholars and researchers worldwide.

The gallery also features notable pieces such as a pristine 2nd–3rd century CE stucco Buddha, a grey schist panel of Palace Life of Prince Siddharta and the Great Renunciation, and a schist frieze depicting the seven incarnations of the Buddha with Bodhisattva Maitreya.

The United States returned more than 450 antiquities to Pakistan in a ceremony at the Islamabad Museum, marking a major collaboration to protect cultural heritage and combat illicit trafficking.

The artifacts on display span eras from Gandhara reliefs and Buddhist sculptures to Indo-Greek gold coin, relic caskets, and Balochistan terracotta figurines dating back to 7,000 BCE.

Other pieces include 1st–10th century figures of a female devotee, Durga, Hariti, Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, a Deity Couple, and Mehrgarh terracotta figurines from 3500–2600 BCE, representing early mother goddess worship.

A rare Gold Strato I Coin of Queen Agathokleia, minted around 105–85 BCE, stands out for bearing the portrait of the first woman ruler in Gandhara, with only two such portraits known.

Questions linger about how Subhash Kapoor, tied to a major smuggling network, managed to move items before seizure, even as he faces separate temple artifact theft convictions in India.

Authorities say the coin was seized in 2023 from a smugglers’ scheme involving Richard Beale and Italo Vecchi, with Beale later convicted and Vecchi awaiting extradition.

The ceremony featured high-level participation from Pakistan’s Secretary Asad Rehman Gilani, Minister of State Huzaifa Rehman, Parliamentary Secretary Farah Naz Akbar, and other officials, underscoring broad political support for heritage protection and international cooperation.

Attendees included Syeda Nosheen Iftikhar, chair of the Standing Committee, MNA Tufail Jutt, and others, with officials emphasizing justice, international cooperation, and shared heritage.

Officials noted the importance of legal, institutional, and international cooperation to combat illicit trafficking and to safeguard heritage for future generations.

Notable items returned include Buddhapada sculpture from the 2nd century, Gandharan carvings, Mehrgarh terracotta figurines, Bodhisattva Maitreya statue, and the Gold Strato I coin.