A collection of archaeological artifacts smuggled out of Pakistan’s Balochistan province has been successfully repatriated from France, following years of investigation and cooperation between French customs and Pakistani authorities.
The artifacts, which include ancient pottery vessels and other items dating as far back as 3,000 BC, were seized by French authorities under the 1970 UNESCO Convention. After formal legal procedures, the Pakistani embassy in Paris officially received the items and facilitated their safe return to Pakistan.
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Among the recovered pieces are relics intercepted at Paris airport in 2006 and others confiscated during a 2010 raid on a Parisian gallery. That operation uncovered nearly 450 cultural objects valued at over €139,000, all believed to have been illicitly removed from archaeological sites in Balochistan.
This latest repatriation follows a similar move in 2019, when France returned hundreds of stolen artifacts to Pakistan. Officials in Islamabad have praised the ongoing cooperation, calling it a major step in preserving the country’s rich and ancient heritage.
The return highlights growing global efforts to prevent cultural smuggling and restore historical assets to their rightful homes, while reinforcing Pakistan’s commitment to protecting its archaeological legacy.
