KABUL, May 19 (Xinhua) -- Some 5,000 pieces of cultural relics have been transferred to the National Museum of Afghanistan since the Afghan caretaker government took over power in Afghanistan in August 2021, said Acting Minister of Cultural and Information Mullah Khairullah Khairkhwa on Saturday.
"Substantial efforts have been made to preserve and protect the war-torn country's rich historical heritage. The countries where the historical relics of Afghanistan are being smuggled, should punish the smugglers and not take advantage of the historical artifacts of Afghanistan," the state-run media Bakhtar News Agency quoted Khairkhwa as saying.
A total of 2,000 pieces of cultural relics have been repaired during the same period, said Khairkhwa, adding that the government has prevented the smuggling of 1,500 pieces of historical relics abroad.
According to the ministry, more than 60,000 ancient artifacts of different eras have been registered and put on display at the National Museum of Afghanistan in Kabul. ■
