Antiques replaced from Peshawar Museum

Allegedly sold on black market, experts called in from Islamabad

PESHAWAR: The anti-corruption department has launched an enquiry into the alleged replacement of antiques and coins with fakes ones from Peshawar Museum. The investigation was launched after complaints were received.

Anti-Corruption Assistant Director Aslam Nawaz told The Express Tribune they had received complaints but they were not able to determine whether the allegations were true or not because they were not antique experts.



The complainant had alleged the coins had been replaced at the museum and this practice was going on for a long time without being noticed.

“We informed the relevant authorities about this. A team of experts from Islamabad will visit Peshawar soon to check and verify whether the replacement has really taken place or not,” he said.

The official added the record had been taken into possession and they had launched a formal enquiry into the case.

“We have requested Islamabad ex-archaeology director to come with a team of experts from the federal capital to help us in this enquiry.”



He said there were serious allegations of the replacement of the historic statues and coins as well as other valuables with fake ones and the original ones were then sold on the black market.

“It is an enquiry [during which] we will determine when and who did this, but we are eagerly waiting for the experts to arrive from Islamabad,” he said, adding these were serious allegations and proper and detailed investigation by experts were required.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 27^th, 2016.