Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri celebrates Pakistan’s success

Canberra: Pakistani High Commissioner to Australia Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri this week celebrated Pakistan’s success as a Gandharan sculpture, smuggled from Peshawar, was discovered in Australia.

An exhibition will be held displaying the Head of Bodhisattva in Pakistan’s High Commission of Australia on August 22, after which the sculpture will be returned to Pakistan, the envoy announced.

A recent debate has emerged globally regarding the ownership of historical artefacts. In light of this discourse, the Australian National Gallery began researching the origins of different art pieces, especially those alleged to be from Asia. It was during this research that the Head of the Bodhisattva was found.

The Australian National Gallery had purchased the sculpture from an Indian, New York-based private art collector, Subash Chandra Kapoor, according to High Commissioner Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri.

“It was later discovered that Chandra Kapoor had been running an illegal art business,” High Commissioner Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri said. “He was involved in all sorts of illegal activities, including smuggling and excavation of artefacts.”

The sculpture was acquired for a staggering price of $275,000 in 2006. “Now, its value has risen well over half a million dollars,” the High Commissioner said. “It’s a great win for Pakistan.”

The sculpture originated from Gandhara, which was a Buddhist region between the first and seventh centuries. The region is now part of modern-day northwestern Pakistan.

According to the High Commissioner, the Head of the Bodhisattva dates back to the third or fourth century. Since the sculpture has religious significance for Buddhists, relevant people have been invited to the exhibition on August 22.

“Ambassadors of Buddhist countries and Buddhist monks have been invited to attend the exhibition, along with Australian people,” the High Commissioner said. “It will essentially be a handing-over ceremony.”

The sculpture is just one of the many art pieces belonging to the Gandharan art tradition. These artefacts were first discovered in the nineteenth century, during an excavation project by the British. Dishes and coins were also discovered during the procedure.

The accused is currently under trial for the smuggling of the Gandharan piece in both India and New York. However, this isn’t the first time he has faced charges for his smuggling business.

In 2012, Chandra Kapoor was charged with the theft of 18 idols from the Sri Varadaraja Perumal Temple in India. Similarly, in 2015, he was charged with smuggling 28 idols of Hindu deities.