ISLAMABAD: The Department of Archaeology and Museums Punjab and the police have not yet recovered gold antiques worth millions and dating to the 2nd Century BC which were stolen by some labourers during preservation work in Sirkap on Nov 13 last year.

All six suspects were apprehended but the police could not find any clue as to where the jewellery may be. The suspects were in custody for a few days but were let go after a few court cases.

The archaeology department has also not taken any disciplinary or departmental action against officials for negligence which led to the theft.

The archaeology department has failed to take action against officials for negligence which led to the theft

According to the official excavation manual, an archaeological engineer, site supervisor and attendants are to keep watch over labourers during work on archaeological remains.

However, there was no archaeologist present at the site when the theft happened.

According to Irshad Hussein, deputy director department of archaeological, no officials have so far been held responsible or punished for the theft.

The 81 priceless and rare antiques, including statues of Greek gods and goddesses, stolen from the Taxila Museum on Dec 16, 1999 have also not yet been recovered. No one was held responsible or punished for the biggest theft from a Pakistani museum.

These antiques had been discovered by Sir John Marshall during excavations conducted between 1913 and 1935.

They included a statue of Greek God Dionysus, the god of wine, and a statue of Aphrodite, the goddess of love.

According to official reports, the police officials on guard duty at the museum and the security guards were blaming one another for the incident.

A departmental inquiry ruled out the involvement of museum staff and security guards and accused the police of involvement.

Published in Dawn, January 22nd, 2018