Business
Renovation of Darul Aman Palace Almost Complete
The reconstruction of Darul Aman Palace has completed 90 percent and will be ready to host the celebration of Afghanistan’s Independence Day in another two months.
Darul Aman Palace was built during the era of King Amanullah Khan who ruled Afghanistan from 1919 to 1929.
Engineers say they have used materials produced in Afghanistan to rebuild this historical palace including marble from Herat province and wood from Kunar province.
Nearly 1,000 Afghans are employed by the project to rebuild the Darulaman and Tajbeg, the two historical palaces which were severely damaged during the civil war in Afghanistan.
“There was no foreigner advisor, engineers or labors in the project rather it was an Afghani movement,” said Abdul Rahman Atash, a government official who is overseeing the reconstruction of the project.
Officials said that the reconstruction of Darul Aman Palace cost nearly $10 million, two percent less than the amount which was predicted by foreign companies.
“The work of the [Darulaman] palace structure is completed hundred percent. I can say our project is completed 90 percent,” said Javid Huma, an Afghan engineer working at the palace.
Tajbeg Palace is a palace built in the 1920s to house the Afghan royal family and is located near the Darul Aman Palace.
Abdul Manan Mukhlis, another Afghan engineer working at the Tajbeg Palace said that the reconstruction of the palace is completed 80 percent and they are trying to complete it before the celebration of Afghanistan’s Independence this year.
President Ashraf Ghani inaugurated the reconstruction project of Darul Aman Palace in 2016 and said it was one of the main demands of Afghans to see the palace renovated.
The Afghan government is planning to use the palace as a museum upon completion.
Several major international pharmaceutical companies could invest in medicine production in Afghanistan as part of growing cooperation between UN agencies and Afghan authorities, who hope to strengthen the country’s healthcare system.
The development was highlighted during a meeting between Afghanistan’s Minister of Economy, Din Mohammad Hanif, and UNICEF Representative Tajudeen Oyewale, where discussions focused heavily on improving healthcare access and expanding pharmaceutical capacity.
UNICEF officials indicated that several global drug manufacturers are preparing to coordinate with Afghanistan’s Ministry of Public Health on establishing or supporting local medicine production.
The aim is to improve the availability of essential medicines for humanitarian operations while also strengthening supply in domestic markets.
The proposed investments are expected to reduce Afghanistan’s reliance on imported pharmaceuticals and improve access to essential treatments, particularly in areas affected by economic hardship and ongoing humanitarian needs.
Alongside the pharmaceutical plans, UNICEF reaffirmed its continued commitment to humanitarian assistance in Afghanistan, including programmes addressing food insecurity, climate-related pressures, and support for returning migrants.
According to figures discussed in the meeting, $520 million has been requested from international donors to support returnees. Of this, $100 million is allocated for emergency assistance, while $420 million is intended for longer-term resettlement and reintegration support.
Afghan authorities welcomed the prospect of expanded pharmaceutical investment, with Din Mohammad Hanif stressing the importance of development cooperation, job creation, and increased international engagement to support economic stability.
Officials said strengthening the pharmaceutical sector could become a key pillar in Afghanistan’s broader efforts to improve healthcare resilience and move toward greater self-sufficiency in essential medical supplies.
Afghanistan has sharply increased imports of grain from Kazakhstan, with deliveries rising 2.3-fold between September 2025 and May 20, 2026, according to Kazakhstan’s Agriculture Ministry.
During that period, Kazakhstan exported around 3 million tons of grain to Afghanistan, compared to 1.3 million tons in the same period a year earlier.
The increase comes as Afghanistan’s Finance Ministry said this week that wheat imports into the country have risen by 345% following changes in customs tariffs aimed at supporting domestic production. According to the ministry, tariffs on imported wheat flour were gradually increased from 5% to 8%, while duties on wheat imports were reduced to encourage local flour processing.
Officials said nearly 198,000 tons of wheat were imported during the first two months of the 1405 fiscal year, compared to 44,000 tons during the same period last year. The ministry added that the policy has helped expand operations at domestic flour factories, increase local production, and create more job opportunities.
Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, the Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, on Thursday officially reopened the fifth section of the Hairatan–Mazar-e-Sharif railway line in northern Balkh province, marking another step in Afghanistan’s efforts to expand its rail infrastructure and regional trade connectivity.
Speaking at the reopening ceremony, Baradar praised the Ministry of Public Works for its efforts in developing Afghanistan’s railway network and expressed appreciation for Uzbekistan’s cooperation in the project.
He said economic and commercial ties between Afghanistan and Uzbekistan have strengthened significantly in recent years, adding that a joint committee led by the governor of Balkh and involving relevant institutions has been established to further enhance bilateral cooperation.
Officials said the newly reopened section of the railway is 70 kilometers long and includes 30 kilometers of branch lines, five railway stations, and the capacity to unload up to 50 wagons simultaneously.
The government said the reopening of the railway section is expected to improve the transportation of commercial goods, increase trade volume, and facilitate regional economic connectivity between Afghanistan and neighboring countries.
The Hairatan–Mazar-e-Sharif railway is considered one of Afghanistan’s most important trade corridors, linking the country to Central Asia through Uzbekistan.
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