A collection of ancient artifacts recovered from Italy has been returned to Pakistan, marking the latest step in a years-long effort to restore cultural heritage items illegally removed from the country, the Pakistani embassy in Rome announced Tuesday.
According to a press release, the objects – 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.
Another shipment returned from Milan earlier this year.
The embassy said nearly 100 pieces of cultural significance had been recovered and handed over to Pakistani authorities in Italy over the past 18 years. Seven of these objects were officially returned to the Consulate General in Milan in April 2025.
“This recovery of stolen and smuggled objects is an exceptional example of cooperation between two friendly states,” the statement said, praising Italy’s role in safeguarding and returning the objects.
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 gratitude to 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 Swat Archaeological Mission, established in 1955 by Professor Giuseppe Tucci, has carried out extensive excavations and scholarly work, producing nearly 1,500 publications on sites in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Two Italian researchers associated with archaeological research in Pakistan – Professor Luca Maria Olivieri and Professor Valeria Fiorani Piacentini – have already been awarded the Sitara-e-Imtiaz (2016) and the Tamgha-e-Pakistan (2025), respectively, in recognition of their contributions.
“Pakistan prides itself on being the cradle of ancient civilizations, from Mehergarh, Kuli and Naal in Balochistan to the Indus Valley and the legacy of Gandhara,” the statement added.
The embassy reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening cultural and diplomatic ties between Pakistan and Italy.
