Official urges return of artifacts

The Taliban’s deputy minister of information and culture in charge of cultural affairs, Mowlawi Abdorrahman Ahmad Hotak, has appealed for the UN Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) to help restore and revive Afghanistan’s cultural heritage, and restore to the country historical artifacts. Some 60 percent of the country’s artifacts, were taken out of the country during the years of war, particularly after the looting of the National Museum in Kabul, the pro-Taliban Bakhtar Information Agency reported on Wednesday. “In order to return this treasure, we have appealed to all people, organisations - particularly UNESCO - and countries, explaining to them our current difficulties and asking for cooperation” in having the treasures restored, it quoted the minister as saying.