A collection of ancient artifacts recovered in Italy has been returned to Pakistan, marking the latest phase in a year-long effort to restore cultural heritage items illegally taken from the country, Pakistan’s embassy in Rome said on Tuesday.
According to a press release, the artefacts – belonging to the prehistoric Kuli and Naal cultures of Balochistan and dating back nearly 5,000 years – arrived in Pakistan from Rome on October 30, 2025.
A separate shipment returned from Milan earlier this year.
The embassy said nearly 100 culturally significant items have been found and handed over to Pakistani authorities in Italy over the past 18 years. Seven of these artifacts were formally returned to the Consulate General in Milan in April 2025.
“This recovery of stolen and smuggled artifacts is an excellent example of cooperation between two friendly states,” read the statement, praising Italy’s role in protecting and returning the items.
Both Pakistan and Italy are home to ancient civilizations and UNESCO World Heritage Sites, making heritage protection a shared priority.
Pakistan’s embassy in Rome expressed appreciation to the Italian authorities for their support, noting that the repatriation reflects “a firm mutual commitment to protect and preserve cultural heritage.”
The press release also highlighted the long-standing ties in archaeological research between the two nations. The Italian Archaeological Mission in Swat, established in 1955 by Professor Giuseppe Tucci, has led extensive excavations and academic work, producing nearly 1,500 publications on sites in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Two Italian researchers associated with Pakistan’s archaeological research – Professor Dr. Luca Maria Olivieri and Professor Dr. Valeria Fiorani Piacentini – have previously been honored with Sitara-e-Imtiaz (2016) and Tamgha-e-Pakistan (2025) respectively in recognition of their contributions.
“Pakistan is proud to be a cradle of ancient civilizations, from Mehergarh, Kuli and Naal in Balochistan to the Indus Valley and Gandhara heritage,” the statement added.
The Embassy reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the cultural and diplomatic ties between Pakistan and Italy.
