Pakistan and Italy roll out a strong new partnership to fight the growing problem of cultural heritage smuggling. Officials from both countries agree to share intelligence, provide specialised training and transfer modern technology. This helps track down stolen artefacts. The move comes as thieves continue to loot valuable Gandharan and Buddhist pieces from sites in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab.
FIA Sets Up Direct Link with World’s Top Art Crime Police
Federal Investigation Agency Director General Dr Usman Anwar joins a high-level video briefing on Thursday. He meets Brigadier General Antonio Petti, commander of Italy’s elite Carabinieri unit for the protection of cultural heritage. Moreover, the two sides decide to create a dedicated liaison desk in Rome. This allows officers to work together in real time. As a result, Pakistani investigators will soon gain access to the world’s largest stolen-art database, known as Leonardo. It has helped recover more than three million artefacts since 1969.
In addition, the first group of FIA officers will travel to Rome for joint training during the third quarter of 2026. Brig Gen Petti tells the meeting that international cooperation offers the only way to dismantle these criminal networks. Dr Anwar later shares that the partnership gives Pakistan the best forensic tools and operational tactics available anywhere.
The agreement builds on a February visit to Rome by Interior Minister Mohsin Raza Naqvi and the FIA chief. A formal memorandum of understanding will be signed in Islamabad next month. This will lock in the cooperation.
Pakistan and Italy launch joint mechanism to combat cultural heritage smuggling through intelligence sharing, training and technology transfer.
