Italy returns ancient Pakistani artefacts after years-long push
“Italy has returned another set of ancient Pakistani artefacts tied to Balochistan's Kuli and Naal cultures.”
Key points
- Italy has returned another set of ancient Pakistani artefacts tied to Balochistan's Kuli and Naal cultures.
- The embassy in Rome says nearly 100 pieces have been recovered in 18 years, praising close cultural cooperation.
Pakistan has received a new batch of ancient artefacts repatriated from Italy, marking the latest milestone in an 18-year campaign to recover cultural property that had been smuggled out of the country, the Pakistani Embassy in Rome said.
According to the mission, the pieces - linked to the prehistoric Kuli and Naal cultures of Balochistan and dating back nearly five millennia - arrived from Rome on October 30. A separate consignment was sent earlier this year from Milan.
The embassy said almost 100 culturally significant objects have been recovered in Italy over the past two decades. Seven items were formally handed to Pakistan's Consulate General in Milan in April 2025.
Calling the repatriations an "outstanding example of cooperation between two friendly states", officials praised Italian authorities for safeguarding and returning the items. They added that both countries, home to ancient civilisations and UNESCO World Heritage sites, share a strong interest in protecting heritage.
The statement also highlighted decades of Pakistan-Italy archaeological collaboration, including the Italian Archaeological Mission in Swat founded in 1955, and noted national awards conferred on leading Italian scholars for their work in Pakistan.
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