Khalilzad criticizes move to relocate Mes Aynak artifacts amid copper mining plans

Former US special envoy for Afghanistan peace, Zalmay Khalilzad, has voiced deep concern regarding the Afghan government’s relocation of 1,430 ancient artifacts from the historic Mes Aynak site to Kabul.

Mes Aynak, located in Logar province, is an ancient Buddhist city of immense archaeological significance. Khalilzad has emphasized that there are alternative approaches that could preserve the site while still allowing mining activities to proceed.

Khalilzad voiced concern that the Chinese show little regard for Afghanistan’s cultural heritage. He also expressed doubts about whether the Islamic Emirate is aware of alternative mining methods that could protect the site.

“The alternative options may cost more in the short term, but in the long term, Afghanistan will lose a huge potential for tourism on the scale of Pompeii. An avoidable tragedy!,” Khalilzad wrote on X.

Officials from the Ministry of Information and Culture earlier stated that the purpose of moving the artifacts from the Mes Aynak site’s depot to the central office of archaeology is for cleaning, restoration, preservation, identification, and documentation purposes. After this process, the items will be handed over to the National Museum of Afghanistan for permanent display and protection.