OREANDA-NEWS  Employees of the Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue in Afghanistan burned 500 musical instruments at the stake - all these "instruments of moral degradation" were taken away by the authorities from residents of Parwan province during the year, the Afghan Pajhwok agency reports.

"In the central province of Parwan, the department of the Ministry of Promotion of Virtue, Prevention of Vice and Complaints reported the destruction of more than 500 musical instruments and related items by burning," the report said.

The head of the department, Maqbul Ahmad Waqas, told the agency that these items, "used for dancing and celebrations at various ceremonies," were collected over the past year both in the administrative center of the province, the city of Charikar, and in the counties. "Musical instruments were burned in Golgandi county in the presence of representatives of the authorities, the general Intelligence Directorate and other competent authorities," the agency quoted the official as saying.