Paghman

Paghman
—  List of cities in Afghanistan  —
ISAF soldier standing in front of the ruins of Paghman's arch.
Location in Kabul Province
Country	Afghanistan
Province	Kabul Province
Area
• Total	2,500 km2 (1,000 sq mi)
Population
• Total	49,157
• Density	20/km2 (51/sq mi)
Time zone	AST (UTC+04:30)

Paghman Arc, shown in its original condition

Paghman is a town in the hills near Kabul, Afghanistan. See also Paghman Gardens. It is center of the Paghman District which has a total population of 120,000 people, and another 20,000 returnees are expected (2002 official UNHCR est.), of which 34% are Pashtuns and 60% Tajiks. The Paghman District is situated in the western part of Kabul Province, Afghanistan. The population of Paghman is more than 52, 000 people (2007 calculation). Paghman was once called the capital garden of Afghanistan.

History

After King Amanullah Khan and Queen Soraya Tarzi's returned from Europe, Amanullah brought in foreign experts to redesign Kabul. In that, they created, at the entrance of Paghman, a European style monumental gate, similar to that of the Paris Arc de Triomphe.

On September 1, 1928, King Amanullah convoked the Loya Jirga to Paghman to the puzzlement of many delegates, who found themselves at odds with the dress-code and modernization of the country. After a long struggle, finally the rebellion of 1929 was staged where King Amanullah Khan lost his rule to the country's conservatives. However, soon after a moderate King would come about. Paghman district borders Wardak and Parwan provinces to the west, Shakardara District to the north, Kabul to the east and Char Asiab District to the south-east. Its headquarter is the town of Paghman, which is situated in the northeastern part of the district.

The district seriously suffered from wars in the region, 50% of the buildings were destroyed and many people fled from the district. Agriculture, labour work, animal husbandry and employment in Kabul City are the major sources of income. There are several villages in the district that include Adam Khel Kala, Hatam Kala, Seeno Kala, Mullah Khel Kala, Muhabbat Khan kala, Lachi Khel Kala, Pajakk Tappa, etc...

About

The Paghman District, as it is also referred to as, is located at the west of Kabul City. The area is green with plenty of trees and fruits. Located at the bottom of the Hindu Kush, Paghman became a holiday retreat with villas and chalets as well as the summer capital. It was a popular place for wealthy Afghans and the Afghan aristocracy to visit. It is a place where people relax and spend the weekends there with friends and relatives. It is known for its beauty, with many lakes, rivers, and waterfalls.

Kabul River, the only main river in the Kabul province, is fed by springs and snowmelt runoffs from Paghman. There is also a canal system extending from Paghman city towards Tapa, however it needs repairing.

Tourism

Paghman has become an important place for Afghan Tourism. People go here because it's just outside of Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan. They also go here because it's a nice rural area and there are some tourism activities nearby. These include Paghman Gardens. People also go to Kabul from here. It's a well known summer resort across the Country and the World.

Notable natives

Prominent Paghman Natives include Loya Jirga's leaders and tribal chiefs and one president.

• King Amanullah Khan - Known as a reformist, Amanullah Khan ruled Afghanistan from 1919 to 1929.
• President Hafizullah Amin - Hafizullah Amin was the second President of Afghanistan during the period of the communist Democratic Republic of Afghanistan.
• Abdullah Wardak, the late governor of Logar Province, was assassinated by an attack (the Taliban claimed responsibility) on his motorcade near Paghman in September 2008.

Sister Cities

• Alice Springs, Australia, since January 2005 after joining Sister Cities International.

Paghman is a city near Afghanistan's capital in the Kabul Province.

References

• Paghman District Map (Source: AIMS)