Takhar: Historical city on the verge of destruction

TALOQAN (Pajhwok): The illegal excavation of the historical I-Khanam Township in the Dashat-i-Qala district of northern Takhar province has triggered concerns among locals.

Residents of the area want the government to ensure the protection of the historical site and put an immediate halt to the unlawful digging.

Residents claim the illegal excavation of the township by previous government officials has left it teetering on the verge of destruction.

They urged the acting government to keep a strict watch on the township and ensure it remained intact.

Nazar Mohammad, a resident of Dasht-e-Qala, told Pajhwok Afghan News: “This site has been excavated by powerful local individuals and historic monuments have been stolen”.

He asked the caretaker government to keep an eye on this area and do all it could to preserve the township, symbolising Afghanistan’s glorious past.

A civil society activist, Asadullah Zmarai, said the city dated back to the era of Alexander the Great. All artifacts had been stolen from it and smuggled abroad, he alleged.

Zmarai requested the Ministry of Information and Culture to reconstruct this ancient city and prevent its further digging.

Ansarullah Ansari, director of information and culture, expressed his concern over the illegal excavations and plunder of monuments during the former government.

However, he vowed not to allow illegal activities in I-Khanam. Ansari said since the Taliban’s takeover, illegal digging had stopped and a security check post had been established to watch the area.

The city was constructed in 2200 BC by Alexander the Great near Kokcha and Amu rivers.

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