A ceremony was held on Wednesday at the High Commission of Pakistan in Canberra to hand over the object, which originated in Balochistan, Pakistan, after it had been stopped for inspection by the Australian Border Force.
Pakistan requested the return of the object under the UNESCO Convention on the Means of Prohibiting the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Cultural Property 1970 to which both Australia and Pakistan are signatories.
A press release issued by the High Commission stated, "The object was clandestinely excavated and illegally smuggled out of Pakistan.
"It was purchased online by an Australian resident from a seller in the United States and imported into Australia in July 2020.
"The object was stopped for inspection by the Australian Border Force (ABF) and upon examination, it was found to be an authentic cultural heritage from Pakistan."
This is the first time an object has been returned to Pakistan under the UNESCO convention.
The stone was purchased online by an Australian resident from a seller in the United States and imported into Australia in July 2020 Source: High Commission of Pakistan, Canberra
High Commissioner Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri also expressed appreciation for the efforts of the Australian government in returning the object.
According to the High Commission, the ceremony was attended by senior officials from the Australian Office of the Arts, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Australian Border Force, INTERPOL Canberra, and the Australian Federal Police.
- Listen to Urdu Podcasts on Spotify Podcast, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcast, Stitcher Podcast
- Learn How to Bookmark SBS URDU’s website or make it your home page.
- SBS Urdu is broadcast every Wednesday and Sunday at 6 PM (AEST).
- How to Listen
- COVID 19 Latest Updates in Urdu
- Install “SBS Radio” mobile app
