Embassy of Pakistan sincerely appreciates the cooperation from friendly Italian Republic for recovering artefacts belonging to Pakistan's 'Kuli' & 'Naal' heritages dating back 5000 years. Over last 18 years, near 100 timeless pieces of stolen artefacts have been seized and handed to Embassy whereas 7 pieces were returned to Consulate General in Milan earlier in April 2025.

The Embassy is pleased to announce that artefacts from Rome have arrived in Pakistan on October 30, 2025 bearing testimony to excellent bilateral partnership whereas artefacts from Milan are being repatriated separately.

Recovery of stolen & smuggled artefacts is an outstanding example of excellent cooperation between two friendly States, both being homes to ancient civilizations and UNESCO sites. The well established, robust mechanisms underscore firm mutual commitment to protect & preserve cultural heritage.

Two distinguished Italian citizens namely Professor Dr. Luca Maria Olivieri & Professor Dr. Valeria Fiorani Piacentini have been decorated with national awards of Sitaara-e-Imtiaz (Star of Distinction) in 2016 and Tamgha-e-Pakistan (Medal of Pakistan) on March 23, 2025 respectively.

In 1955, an 'Italian Archaeological Mission' was established by Professor Giuseppe Tucci in Swat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province. The entity has immensely contributed through discovery & excavation of archaeological sites and 1500 publications. Professor Luca has recently organized, a well attended, 70th Anniversary of the Italian Archaeology Mission in Swat on 25.10.2025.

Pakistan prides its extraordinary standing among comity of nations as being a 'Cradle of Civilizations' from 5000-7000 years old 'Meher Garh' in Balochistan, of which Kuli and Naal are part of, to the star of bronze era, the 4500-5000 years old 'Indus Valley Civilisation' in Sindh as well as 2000 years old 'Gandhara Civilisation' in Taxila, Punjab.

The Embassy remains committed to furthering the bonds of mutual trust and friendship between both nations.

Pakistan Embassy Rome,
November 4, 2025.