Pakistan’s Federal Minister for National Heritage and Culture, Aurangzeb Khan Khichi, has emphatically reaffirmed the nation”s commitment to strengthening its seven-decade-long archaeological partnership with Italy, signaling a desire to expand future bilateral cooperation in preserving shared cultural history.
According to a statement issued today, the Minister, serving as Chief Guest and Keynote Speaker, delivered his address during a ceremony in the Italian capital celebrating the 70th anniversary of the Italian Archaeological Mission’s work in Swat. Mr. Khichi is currently in Italy leading the Pakistani delegation to the ICCROM General Assembly.
He highlighted the enduring collaboration between the two nations and underscored ongoing initiatives focused on bolstering academic exchanges and institutional ties in archaeological research, conservation, and education. ‘Pakistan is committed to advancing archaeological research, conservation, and education, and looks forward to deepening cooperation with Italy in both scope and dimension,’ the Minister stated.
Organized by the International Association for Mediterranean and Oriental Studies (ISMEO), the event was supported by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) and the University of Venice. The gathering paid tribute to the extensive technical and scholarly work conducted by the Italian Archaeological Mission since its establishment by Professor Giuseppe Tucci in 1955.
The anniversary celebration included four thematic sessions that explored the mission”s history in Pakistan, current collaborations with the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and prospective projects in archaeobotany, epigraphy, and geoarchaeology. Discussions also centered on significant archaeological sites such as Barikot, Butkara, and Saidu Sharif.
Professor Luca Maria Olivieri, a recipient of Pakistan”s Sitara-e-Imtiaz and a veteran of 38 years of fieldwork in the country, moderated the event. The ceremony was attended by officials from the Pakistan Embassy in Rome, along with prominent Italian academics, archaeologists, and cultural institution representatives, reinforcing the strong and longstanding scholarly ties between the two countries.