Alliance for the Restoration of Cultural Heritage (ARCH), a US-based non-profit group, in a petition has called for protection of cultural heritage in Afghanistan amid peace talks between the government and the Taliban.
The group called on the government and Taliban negotiators to commit to protecting the cultural heritage.
It said that Afghanistan has a rich cultural heritage which designate Afghans’ identity.
Afghanistan’s cultural heritage is a proof that the country has been a cradle of civilization and has a great historical background.
ARCH regretted that Afghanistan’s cultural heritage suffered preventable damage, irrecoverable damage in recent times, from destruction of Buddha statues in Bamyan to looting and extraction of mines and artifacts.
ARCH noted Muslim countries like Qatar, Jordan, Egypt and UAE pride on their cultural heritage and antiquities, protect and showcase them.
It said that antiquities are a valuable source for economic growth of a country.
