Archaeological artefacts: NA body says concerned at illegal export

ISLAMABAD: The government has recovered and repatriated 1,252 precious archaeological artefacts from the United States, Australia, Italy and other countries during the last year, while a parliamentary panel has raised concerns over illicit excavation, trafficking and unauthorised export of the country’s archaeological artefacts.

The National Assembly Standing Committee on National Heritage and Culture met on Tuesday with MNA Syeda Nosheen Iftikhar in the chair.

The committee was informed that, as a result of sustained efforts and continuous follow-up, the ministry had succeeded in securing the repatriation of 1,252 artefacts from the United States of America (USA), Australia, Italy and other countries during the last year.

The committee, while expressing concern over the illicit excavation, trafficking and unauthorised export of archaeological artefacts, directed the ministry to furnish, at its next meeting, a comprehensive account of the preventive mechanisms in place, the technical capacity available for authentication of artefacts, and details of artefacts repatriated during the last five years.

Regarding international cooperation and foreign assistance for the preservation and conservation of Pakistan’s cultural heritage, the ministry apprised the committee that Pakistan is a State Party to the 1954 Hague Convention and its Protocol, the 1970 UNESCO Convention concerning the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property, and the 1972 World Heritage Convention.

The committee was informed that, under UNESCO assistance, USD 75,000 each was received in 2022 for the Moenjodaro and Makli World Heritage Sites for post-disaster response to monsoon-related hazards, while USD 49,139 was provided in 2025 for the conservation and restoration of Takht-i-Bahi and the neighbouring city of Sahr-i-Bahlol. The committee emphasized that all conservation interventions undertaken with external or foreign assistance must be subjected to qualified technical inspection, systematic and documented monitoring, and transparent and accountable utilization of funds.

The committee also endorsed the ministry’s initiative to provide voluntary academic guidance to CSS aspirants at the National Library of Pakistan (NLP) through experienced officers and resource persons in compulsory subjects, including English, Pakistan Studies, General Knowledge, History of Pakistan and Everyday Science. The committee particularly appreciated the proposed focus on English grammar and composition, précis and report writing, and official writing skills. It emphasized, however, that the initiative should remain strictly within the mandate and available resources of the National Library, without creating any undue financial or administrative liability. The committee further stressed the need for an appropriate mechanism to maintain attendance and participation records and to periodically assess the effectiveness and outcomes of the initiative.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026