Culture Minister Khairkhwa Stresses Key Restoration Projects for Afghanistan’s Historical Monuments

Mullah Khairullah Khairkhwa, the Acting Minister of Information and Culture of Afghanistan, recently held a productive meeting with Engineer Ajmal Maiwandi, Head of the Cultural Services of the Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC). “Consultative meetings should be held with relevant institutions regarding the preservation and restoration of the country’s historical monuments to discuss and exchange views on how to maintain and restore these structures,” Minister Khairkhwa remarked. Engineer Ajmal Maiwandi, in his briefing, informed the Acting Minister about AKTC’s activities. He mentioned that the organisation has completed numerous projects across various provinces and is currently working on several key projects. These include the comprehensive restoration of Babaji Mosque in Ghazni, archaeological excavations and the creation of an archaeological park in Bala Hissar, Kabul, the renovation of the Kabul Riverfront area known as Machin Khana, the reinforcement of the fifth minaret of the Herat Mosque, the stabilisation of the porches of the Herat Great Mosque, and the restoration and stabilisation of the tiles of the Khwaja Abdullah Ansari Shrine in Herat, which were damaged in the recent earthquake. Additionally, emergency measures are being implemented to protect the historical artifacts of Mes Aynak in Logar.