Ghani inaugurates reconstruction work on Dar-ul-Aman Palace

KABUL of the historic Dar-ul-Aman Palace in the capital Kabul was launched on Monday in the presence of President Ashraf Ghani and his Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr. Abdullah.

The project worth $16 million was approved by the cabinet in February when the Ministry of Urban Development was tasked with the rehabilitation of the famous building in the heart of the nation’s capital.

In line with presidential orders, a reconstruction plan for the palace was drawn up by a technical team comprising experts from the Ministries of Urban Development, Information and Culture and Office of Administrative Affairs. The project will be completed in five phases.

The scheme is aimed to protect Afghanistan’s cultural and historical heritage, attract tourists and revive of the architecture of the Amanullah Khan era.

While inaugurating the rebuilding work, President Ashraf Ghani said the project was financed with the government’ own resources. He asserted his administration’s strong intention to resolve the problems resulting from assorted crises and bequeath more facilities to future governments.

“The Dar-ul-Aman project is not only a grand plan to restore the country’s past glory, but it will also offer standard urban services,” the president remarked, saying the palace would host special ceremonies and state guests and a museum would be set up close to it.

Many Afghans, different government departments and school students have offered financialsupport for the reconstruction of the palace.Located eight kilometers southwest of the city, the palace was built during the King Amanullah Khan era in the solar year1300. It initially served as the king’s abode before housing the Ministry of Defence.

The palace has damaged as result of the civil strife in 1990s. Most of walls of the building were damaged or collapsed and its rooms turned into ruins. Like other key buildings, the majestic structure was pockmarked and blackened by rockets and bullets.

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