KARACHI, Nov 11: Antiques believed to be dating back to 2 to 4 century A.D. were seized by the Customs officials at Port Qasim. The consignment declared as marble handicraft, destined to Los Angeles, US, was intercepted when packing of the marble in wooden boxes created suspicion, said S M Shoaib Deputy Collector Exports Port Qasim.

He said that the consignment was thoroughly examined and five statues apparently of Buddhist period of Ghandhara Art were detected along with wooden statue. The consignment was being exported by M/S Mapsons International through M/s Fair Line Shipping Agency.

DC Exports, Port Qasim told Dawn that Mr Majid Husain, Director of Archaeology and Museum, Karachi, examined the whole consignment along with customs staff, and informed that five statues pertain to 2nd to 4th Century AD when Ghandhara civilization was at its peak in the present-day northern Pakistan. A wooden statue of Buddha, about 150 years old, was also present in the consignment. The wooden statue was probably imported into Pakistan from Far East where these were made about 100-200 year back, Mr Majid said.

However, a formal report about the authenticity of the antiques by the Director-General, Archaeology and Museum, Islamabad, is awaited following which legal proceedings would be initiated and case would be presented before the Special Judge Customs, DC Exports said.

The consignment of marble handicraft has been detained as per procedure; and antiques have been handed to the Museum maintained by the Department of Archaeology after due legal process.