ROME: Italy has returned a collection of stolen 5,000-year-old Balochistan artifacts to Pakistan.
According to details, the artifacts are nearly 5,000 years old and were stolen from archaeological sites in Balochistan. The Pakistani Embassy in Rome said the recovery reflects “excellent bilateral cooperation” between the two countries.
The embassy said the artifacts are linked to the sites of Kulli and Nal in Balochistan and date back to the Bronze Age — from settlements that predate the Indus Valley Civilization.
Italian authorities had seized the artifacts while they were being smuggled abroad. The items were handed over in Rome and later transported to Pakistan.
Earlier in April, seven similar antiquities were returned to Pakistan through its Consulate General in Milan.
In a statement, the embassy said, “The recovery of stolen and smuggled artifacts is a remarkable example of cooperation between two friendly states, both homes to ancient civilizations and UNESCO heritage sites.”
It added that over the past 18 years, around 100 stolen heritage items have been recovered and repatriated to Pakistan — reflecting both nations’ commitment to preserving cultural heritage.
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The statement also highlighted Pakistan and Italy’s decades-long collaboration in archaeology and heritage preservation. Two Italian scholars, Professor Luca Maria Olivieri and Professor Valeria Fiorani Piacentini, have received national honors from Pakistan for their contributions in these fields.
