New multi-billion dollar gov't complex in Afghanistan

By Shadi Khan Saif

KABUL, Afghanistan (AA) – Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on Sunday laid foundation stone for a new administrative complex for government offices in capital Kabul in line with his modernization drive in the war-ravaged country.

The move would see some 27 of the 19th century ministries and other government offices relocated from the heart of old Kabul – which is now a bustling market place – to the western outskirts of the city.

“The center of city would evolve into a cultural hub,” evidently charged President Ghani said while promising to rebuild a number of other ancient buildings in Kabul.

The president said the new complex will be inspired by modern Islamic architecture patterns as well as classical inspiration sources found during the reign of Timurid, Ghaznavid, Ghorid and Khurasanid dynasties.

Officials said on the occasion the project spreading on some 100 hectors of land would cost $1.6 billion and would be completed in 20 years.

As part of the 100th anniversary of independence of Afghanistan, the iconic Darul Aman Palace in Kabul would also be inaugurated next month after a renovation drive costing $9 million, Ghani said. This palace designed by German architects in the 19th century, but was devastated during the bloody civil war in the 1990s before Ghani commissioned its reconstruction.

The Afghan government is planning to use this renovated palace as a museum upon completion.