A large collection of archaeological artifacts smuggled from Balochistan to France has been returned to Pakistan, officials confirmed on Tuesday. The artifacts, which include ancient pottery vessels and other valuable objects, were seized by French customs authorities under the 1970 UNESCO Convention aimed at preventing the illicit trade of cultural property.
The Pakistani embassy in Paris received the artifacts after they were confiscated and has now sent them back to Pakistan following formal procedures. French customs intercepted these items over several years, suspecting they had been illegally removed from archaeological sites in Balochistan.
This latest repatriation follows previous returns, including a major handover in 2019 when France returned 450 artifacts dating back to around 4,000 BC. In another case, a 2006 seizure at Paris airport uncovered 17 pottery vessels believed to be over 100 years old. Expert analysis later dated them to between 2,000 and 3,000 BC, likely originating from ancient ruins in Balochistan. The investigation led to a raid on the Harris Gallery, where 445 objects valued at 139 million euros (about $157,000) were found.
Throughout the process, the Pakistani embassy in Paris worked closely with French authorities to ensure the safe return of these cultural treasures. Officials in Islamabad have welcomed the move, highlighting the importance of protecting Pakistan’s archaeological heritage and fighting the illegal smuggling of artifacts.
