Fate of ancient smuggled Gandhara relics in Pak yet to be decided

Pakistan officials have not yet decided what to do with almost 300 priceless Gandhara civilisation relics. These relics were recovered from smugglers and now lie stranded at the Awami police station and a warehouse in Korangi.

As per last reports came in, the Culture Department was seeking their legal custody, reports The News.

Additional Secretary of the Culture Department of Sindh, Ashfaque Hussain, said that an application to this effect has been moved in the court requesting of the custody of the 2,000 year old statues.

"The pieces have become evidence in a case and can only be taken into possession and moved to museums and other places after the court's order. The department is certain that the court will issue the orders as soon as possible. Then we will be able to shift the valuables without further delay," Hussain has been quoted as saying.

According to Sindh Culture Minister Sassui Palijo, after taking the possession of the Gandhara relics, they would be taken to the National Museum of Pakistan for safekeeping till the political leadership decides what to do with them.

In the Meanwhile, the police on Monday finally registered a First Information Report (FIR) against the driver and cleaner who were arrested with the smuggled relics last week.

--with inputs from ANI