Dozens of ancient artifacts illegally taken from Pakistan’s Balochistan province have been returned to the country after being confiscated by French customs, officials confirmed this week.
The Pakistani embassy in Paris received the cultural relics—mostly pottery and historic objects—under the framework of the 1970 UNESCO Convention, which targets the illegal trade of cultural property. After completion of official procedures, the items have now been sent back to Pakistan.
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Sources revealed that French authorities had intercepted the artifacts over several years. The items are believed to have been looted from archaeological sites in Balochistan and smuggled to Europe for sale in the art market.
This is not the first time such objects have been recovered. In 2019, France handed over around 450 antiquities, some dating back to 4,000 BC, that had been seized nearly a decade earlier.
One significant case involved the 2006 discovery of 17 ancient vessels at a Paris airport. Experts later confirmed the pieces were from between 2,000 and 3,000 BC. The investigation led to a major raid at a local gallery, where hundreds more items, valued at over €139,000, were found.
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Officials in Islamabad welcomed the latest repatriation, emphasizing the need to protect Pakistan’s archaeological legacy and prevent the theft of cultural treasures.
The safe return of these artifacts highlights the importance of global cooperation in preserving historical heritage and halting the illegal trade in antiquities.