Khalilzad criticizes transfer of historical artifacts from Ainak copper mine

KABUL: Zalmay Khalilzad, the former U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation, has strongly criticized the transfer of 1,430 historical artifacts from the Ainak copper mine to Kabul. In a post on social media platform X, Khalilzad stated that alternative routes exist that could protect this historical site while also facilitating copper extraction. He expressed concern that the Chinese may not be attentive to Afghanistan’s cultural heritage and suggested that the Taliban might be unaware of alternative options. Khalilzad noted, “While alternative routes may incur initial costs, Afghanistan risks losing a significant long-term opportunity to attract tourism as a major historical site.” He described the transfer of the Ainak artifacts as “a preventable disaster.” In response, officials from the Taliban’s Ministry of Information and Culture stated that the transfer of these artifacts was conducted for cleaning, restoration, conservation, stabilization, and documentation, with the intention of later securing them for permanent display in a museum.