NEW YORK, July 14: Thirty-nine precious antiquities of Pakistani origin, which were interdicted by US Customs authorities three years ago while being smuggled into the US, were handed over to the Pakistan’s consul general at a ceremony held in Newark, New Jersey on Thursday.

A large number of senior officials of the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Port Authority were present on the occasion, said a press release.

Speaking on behalf of the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement Department, Kyle Hutchins, Special Agent in charge, expressed his sense of pride that the US government was able to interdict the cultural property of Pakistan and return it to its people and the government.

Pakistan Consul General in New York Muhammad Haroon Shaukat expressed deep gratitude to the US government for first interdicting the smuggled items and then acceding to the request of the Government of Pakistan in accordance with the international law, to return these items. This, he said, added a new chapter in bilateral cooperation in the cultural field.

Shaukat expressed deep appreciation to the concerned authorities for their wholehearted cooperation in this regard. “This positive action by the Government of the United States will go a long way in discouraging the illegal trafficking of antiquities from developing countries, like Pakistan,” he added.

The shipment of smuggled antiquities, comprising 39 priceless pieces of Gandhara artifacts, was interdicted in late 2004, by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement Department at New Jersey. The shipment had originated from Dubai.

The items were returned to Pakistan after hectic efforts and extensive process lasting over a year and a half.