Pakistan gets 5,000 years old stolen artifacts from Italy

Pakistan has received ancient artifacts, around 5,000 years old, that were stolen from archaeological sites in Balochistan, the Pakistani Embassy in Rome announced.

According to the embassy, the artifacts are linked to the Kuli and Naal sites in Balochistan, dating back to Bronze Age settlements that predate the Indus Valley Civilization. The items arrived in Pakistan on October 30, 2025.

The artifacts had been seized by Italian authorities after being stolen and smuggled abroad. Seven other pieces recovered earlier were handed over to Pakistan’s Consulate General in Milan in April.

“The recovery of stolen and smuggled artifacts is an outstanding example of excellent cooperation between two friendly nations, both home to ancient civilizations and UNESCO World Heritage sites,” the embassy said in a statement.

The statement added that nearly 100 “timeless pieces” of stolen heritage have been seized and returned to Pakistan over the past 18 years, reflecting the shared commitment of both countries to protect and preserve cultural heritage.

It further noted that Pakistan and Italy have collaborated for decades in the fields of archaeology and cultural preservation.

Two Italian scholars — Professor Luca Maria Olivieri and Professor Valeria Fiorani Piacentini, have been honored with national awards by Pakistan for their contributions to these fields.