NEWARK (United States), Jan 24: Customs and immigration officials have returned several ancient artifacts to the government of Pakistan nearly a year and a half after they were discovered at the Newark port.

Experts determined that the artifacts, one of which dated to the second century BC, were stolen from a site in northern Pakistan. They arrived in Newark in Sept 2005 in two shipments in which the shipper had misrepresented the country of origin, officials said on Tuesday.

The person to whom the shipments were addressed in the US did not pick them up and has not been detained, according to Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokesman Michael Gilhooly. Customs officials are cooperating with Pakistani officials investigating the thefts.

The artifacts were shipped from the United Arab Emirates and declared as decorative items. A routine search of the containers was conducted to make sure the items matched what was on the shipping manifest, Gilhooly said.

Among the items recovered was a rare cup from the second century BC and a statue of a starving Buddha that is one of two ever found, officials said.—AP

Opinion

Editorial

Afghan puzzle
Updated 28 May, 2024

Afghan puzzle

Unless these elements are neutralised, it will not be possible to have the upper hand over terrorist groups.
Attacking minorities
28 May, 2024

Attacking minorities

Mobs turn into executioners due to the authorities’ helplessness before these elements.
Persistent scourge
28 May, 2024

Persistent scourge

THE challenge of polio in Pakistan has reached a new nadir, drawing grave concerns from the Technical Advisory Group...
Mercury rising
Updated 27 May, 2024

Mercury rising

Each of the country's leaders is equally responsible for the deep pit Pakistan seems to have fallen into.
Antibiotic overuse
27 May, 2024

Antibiotic overuse

ANTIMICROBIAL resistance is an escalating crisis claiming some 700,000 lives annually in Pakistan. It is the third...
World Cup team
27 May, 2024

World Cup team

PAKISTAN waited until the very end to name their T20 World Cup squad. Even then, there was last-minute drama. Four...