Pakistan foils artefact smugglers

Some of the pieces date back more than 7,000 years

Pakistani customs officers have foiled an attempt to smuggle out nearly 1,500 historical artefacts said to be worth over $10m on the international market.

Some of the antiquities, found in a container marked "furniture" in the southern city of Karachi, are 7,000 years old, archaeologists say.

"This is the largest ever haul of artefacts intercepted by us," said customs director Mussarrat Jabeen.

The suspected exporter has been arrested and is being questioned.

Buddha statues

Ms Jabeen, who led the customs investigation, told the BBC News website: "We received a tip off on 11 June that a container marked furniture and destined for Dubai was being used to smuggle artefacts.

"When we examined the contents of the container, we discovered 1,482 sculptures from the Gandhara and pre-Harrapan periods onwards."

Officials believe the relics came from Afghanistan and Balochistan

Ms Jabeen said the antiques were hidden among furniture along with brass and copperware. There were a number of Buddha statues - some two metres tall.

The consignment was booked by an Islamabad-based business, she said.

Unsure about what they had stumbled upon, customs contacted the archaeology department.

A team of experts recommended by the department verified their authenticity.

Officials in the department say that some of the pieces are from the Mehrgarh civilisation - the world's second oldest, dating back as far as 6,500 BC.

Customs officials say they have routinely intercepted antiques being smuggled out, but never on this scale.

"This is mind boggling," said Ms Jabeen. "We think the person under arrest is a mere front man for a much bigger gang."

Investigators believe most of the artefacts came from Afghanistan and Pakistan's south-west Balochistan province.

Armed men in plainclothes are guarding the warehouse where the antiquities are being kept.