A collection of ancient artifacts recovered in Italy has been returned to Pakistan, marking the latest phase of a years-long effort to restore cultural heritage items illegally stolen from the country, the Pakistani Embassy in Rome said on Tuesday.
According to a press release, the artifacts, belonging to the prehistoric Kuli and Naal cultures of Balochistan and dating back almost 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 pieces of cultural importance have been recovered and handed over to Pakistani authorities in Italy over the past 18 years. Seven of those 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,” the statement read, praising Italy’s role in safeguarding and returning the items.
Both Pakistan and Italy are home to ancient civilizations and UNESCO World Heritage sites, making heritage protection a shared priority.
The Pakistani Embassy in Rome expressed its gratitude to the Italian authorities for their support, noting that the repatriation reflects “a strong 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 conducted extensive excavations and academic work, producing nearly 1,500 publications on sites in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Two Italian scholars associated with Pakistani 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 the cradle of ancient civilizations, from Mehergarh, Kuli and Naal in Balochistan to the Indus Valley and the heritage of Gandhara,” the statement added.
The embassy reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening cultural and diplomatic ties between Pakistan and Italy.
