History:

Introduction

Path to Islam

Formation of Modern Afghanistan

Establishment of the Republic

End of the Comunist Era

Beginning of New Era

State:

Executive

The Judiciary

The Legislature

Constitution of the islamic Republic of the Afghanistan

National Anthem

Investment:

Land of Opportunities

Afghanistan Investment Support Agency (AISA)

Toursim:

Toursim in Afghanistan

Places of Interest

Introduction:

Afghanistan is located in the heart of Eurasia, and is populated by Pashtuns, Tajiks, Hazaras, Uzbeks, Turkmens, some smaller ethnic nationalities, and nomads known as "Kuchis". Geographically near to the first cradles of civilization, one finds artifacts dating back to the period of the Indus Valley civilization (2000 BC). Since time immemorial this country has been situated on the crossroad of cultures, between China and the Middle East, and between South Asia and Europe. When Alexander the Great entered the ancient country of Ariana - as the region in which modern Afghanistan lies was then called - he found well established cities such as Herat and Kandahar, before founding some of his own, such as Ai Khanoum on the Oxus (Amu Darya river).

The provinces now composing Afghanistan were important satrapies of the Achaemenid Empire. After the death of Alexander the Great, the Seleucid Empire - one of the successor states of the sprawling Macedonian empire - was centered on the city of Balkh, and Afghanistan became a political power in its own right. Since then the city of Balkh, near modern Mazar-e Sharif, is known as "the mother of cities" (Umm al Bilad) because it maintained its status as an important center of learning and culture through different historical epochs. For example, the first poetess of Islam, Rabi'a Balkhi, lived here, and the philosopher poet Mawlana Jalaluddin Rumi was born near Balkh, as was Ibn Sina (also known as Avicenna), one of the greatest scientists of his age.

Since Afghanistan's economy is primarily agrarian, rural life is still the center of the country's socio-economic activities. Although, Afghan agriculture has been improved with modern technology, no one can travel around the country without acquiring a feeling that the land and the people who work it are still in perfect harmony.

During the past fifty years, an ever-increasing number of archaeological expeditions have come to Afghanistan. As a result, the country's heritage has become ever more rich and varied, and new discoveries are being made each year. Many of these artifacts are displayed at the Kabul Museum. As late as 1957 the world knew nothing of the existence of the Minaret of Jam. Standing at the very heart of the remote province of Ghor, it is the second tallest minaret in the world.

In the 2nd century BC the largely Zoroastrian country of Afghanistan was penetrated by a new religion, or life philosophy: Buddhism. When the ancient Indo-Aryan Hindu gods reestablished their prominence in India, Afghanistan, with its famous monastic sites of Hadda (near Jalalabad), Bamiyan and others became the center of Buddhism. The world's largest statues depicting the Buddha were hewn in the cliff of Bamiyan, from where pilgrims spread Buddhism to China, Japan and the rest of East Asia, centuries later. In the National Museum of Kabul, as well as in foreign museum collections, the magnificent art of this period, which marries Hellenic, Sassanian, Indian and nomadic Turkic styles, shows how accomplished this syncretism was. The mysterious Kushan empire reigned during this period of Afghan history (1st to 6th centuries B.C.) from its seat near Kabul.

Path to Islam:

In the 7th and 8th centuries Afghans converted to Islam, which gave rise to a new series of great dynasties: the Ghaznavids (11th to12th centuries) and the Ghorids (12th to 13th centuries) conquered vast expanses of territories stretching all the way to Delhi. At the courts of these rulers writers, scientists and craftsmen from all regions of Asia worked. In Ghazni, the poet Firdawsi accomplished his epic "Shahnameh" (Book of Kings), which, since then, has become the fundamental text of Persian-language culture. In the long-lost capital of the Ghorids - Firuzkoh, the "Turquoise Mountain" - the Minaret of Jam was built. It is still the highest minaret in Central Asia.

After the Mongols destroyed most of the country, the Timurids, descendants of Amir Timur (also known as Tamerlane) ruled the country (15th century) and left behind them impressive monuments such as the Great Mosque of Herat (Masjed-e Jame'ah) and the tomb of Gawhar Shad, one of the most famous Queens of Islam. Herat, then a center of Islamic culture, became known for its poets, such as Jami, and its fine miniatures (school of Behzad).

One of the late descendants of Amir Timur, Prince Babur, fled the Uzbek invasion of Central Asia and founded his kingdom in his beloved Kabul (where his tomb still lies, in the Babur Gardens) before his descendants went on to create the great Mughal Empire in India, of which Afghanistan long remained a part. However, in this period, as the European seafarers opened the sea-route to the East, the old caravan roads became less frequented, and the geo-strategic importance of Afghanistan declined.

Formation of Modern Afghanistan:

In 1747 Ahmad Shah Durrani established the country of Afghanistan in Kandahar, to guarantee the independence of Afghanistan by acclaiming sovereignty from the neighboring powers. Since then Afghanistan has managed to always remain an independent nation. This became particularly difficult in the 19th century, when the European powers of England and Russia both tried to occupy this strategic territory in what became known as "the Great Game". Afghanistan fought for its sovereignty in three Anglo-Afghan wars (1839-43, 1878-1880 and 1919) while also fending off Russian and Iranian intrigues.

The modern state of Afghanistan was created by King Abdurrahman Khan (1880-1901), who established the administrative structures which still exist today. His state-building efforts were continued by his descendants Amir Habibullah and King Amanullah, who went to considerable lengths to modernize Afghan society and its political institutions. He established the Prime Minister's office, and created, among other ministries, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1922 (led by Mohammed Darwazi Badakhshani), who immediately embarked on a world tour, to see their progress. King Amanullah himself also traveled widely through Europe and Asia, thus putting Afghanistan on the world map in the same period as when the League of Nations, for the first time in world history, brought together all independent countries of the world.

King Amanullah's efforts to modernize Afghan society created a backlash in society, leading to his overthrow and the short reign of Habibullah Kalakani, known as King Habibullah (who reigned from February1929 to November 1929). He in turn was overthrown by Nader Shah, father of the last king (and current Father of the Nation) Zaher Shah, who ascended the throne in 1933. A long period of peace followed, in which Afghanistan stayed on its course of neutrality (during World War II). During the Cold War, Afghanistan was member of the group of non-aligned nations, and received support for its development from both the Soviet Union and the United States of America.

Establishment of the Republic:

In 1973 Prime Minister Daud deposed the King, proclaimed the republic of Afghanistan and became President of the new republic. Political parties of both communist and religious convictions became more active in this period, leading to a coup of the People's Democratic Party of Afghanistan (PDPA) led by Nur Mohammed Taraki - from the Khalqi faction of the PDPA - in 1978. The situation then quickly deteriorated: the Islamist parties inspired by the Muslim Brotherhood revolted against the communist regime, while from within the PDPA a new coup brought Hafizullah Amin - from the Parchami faction - to power, in the same year (1978). The destabilization and incipient civil war culminated in the Soviet invasion at the end of 1979 - which only worsened civil strife. The Soviets put Babrak Karmal in power (1980-1986) and brought approximately 100,000 troops to the country, to combat the growing resistance.

In 1986, after approximately 1.5 million martyrs and casualties and the exodus of 5 million Afghan refugees abroad, the Soviets were forced to retreat. Their gradual withdrawal was completed in 1989, shortly before the disintegration of the Soviet Union in 1991. Meanwhile, Mohammed Najibullah had replaced Babrak Karmal as president, and embarked on a politics of national reconciliation to end the civil war. These attempts failed, and in 1992 his regime was overthrown by the victorious mujihadeen.

End of the Communist Era:

Despite efforts to form a government of national unity comprising the major Islamist parties - who elected Burhanuddin Rabbani as their first president - these parties soon fell into violent disagreement, and the inter-factions war soon resumed, leading to greater destruction of the country and its capital Kabul. In 1996 the Taliban, who was created by the active and sustained support of Pakistan and some other regional and international entities, captured Kabul and established a severe regime (the Islamic Emirates of Afghanistan) which imposed heavy restrictions on Afghans' human rights, in particular those of women. The institutions of the Afghan state, already seriously weakened by the long civil war, were further sidelined by the fact that the real power was not wielded by the ministries in Kabul, but by the circle around Mullah Omar, the Taliban leader, in Kandahar.

The Taliban never conquered all of Afghanistan, and the ongoing civil war, compounded by international isolation and a terrible drought, brought the Afghan people to the brink of starvation. Meanwhile the Taliban, who also enjoyed significant support from Pakistan, harbored increasing numbers of international terrorists from countries all around the globe through the networks of Al Qaeda. Among other crimes against Afghan humanity and culture, the Taliban also destroyed the famous Buddha statues of Bamiyan in March 2001, drawing international opprobrium.

Beginning of a new Era:

After Al Qaeda's terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York and Washington on September 11, 2001, the international community, led by the United States, intervened to put an end to the rogue regime in Afghanistan. The United Nation's Security Council passed a resolution authorizing the use of force to overthrow the Taliban. On October 7 the USA, having exhausted diplomatic means, started bombing the Taliban and supporting the resistance of the United Front (also known as the Northern Alliance) who provided the ground forces. Despite the assassination by Al Qaeda on September 9 of Commander Ahmad Shah Massud, the Front's famous military strategist, the northern forces captured Kabul on 14 November 2001.

During the Bonn conference (December 2001) an agreement was reached to establish an interim administration led by H. E. Hamid Karzai and to station an international peace-keeping force - ISAF, the International Security Assistance Force - in Kabul. In June 2002 an Emergency "Loya Jirga" (the traditional tribal Afghan conflict-solving mechanism) was convened in Kabul to nominate a transitional government. It elected Karzai as its President. In accordance with the road map laid out in Bonn, implemented with the support of UNAMA (United Nations Assistance Mission to Afghanistan), a Constitutional Loya Jirga approved a new constitution for the country in January 2004. It established the "Islamic Republic of Afghanistan" and restored the country's guarantee of human rights and adherence to democracy. This was followed by the country's first nationwide presidential elections in October 2004, wherein President Karzai won with an absolute majority. Parliamentary elections were held in September 2005, which led to the establishment of Afghanistan's first democratically elected National Assembly with full legislative powers. The Parliament consists of an upper and a lower house (Meshrano and Wolesi Jirga). Provincial Councils were elected simultaneously.

At present institutional reform and reconstruction efforts are ongoing with the support of the international community, as laid down in the "Afghanistan Compact" concluded in London in February 2006.

State:

The modern state of Afghanistan with its current administrative structure dates back to the efforts of King Abdurrahman Khan during the end of the 19th century (1880-1901). Until the middle of the 20th century, Afghanistan was ruled by the absolute power of the king. Two constitutions were promulgated, in 1923 and 1931, both affirming the power of the monarchy. The constitution of 1964, however, provided for a constitutional monarchy, based on the separation of executive, legislative, and judicial authorities.

The present day Constitution, agreed upon by more that 500 delegates from all across the country, was formally ratified by president Hamid Karzai at a ceremony in Kabul on January the 26, 2004. Article six of Chapter one states that

‘The state shall be obligated to create a prosperous and progressive society based on social justice, preservation of human dignity, protection of human rights, realization of democracy, attainment of national unity as well as equality between all peoples and tribes and balance development of all areas of the country.’

Furthermore, Afghanistan is to remain an Islamic Republic, independent, unitary, and indivisible state. Islam is the religion of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. Followers of other faiths shall be free within the bounds of law in the exercise and performance of their religious rituals.

The Executive: Afghanistan is a Republic and the current head of state is H. E. Hamid Karzai. His appointed cabinet, which obtained the approval of the House of People (Wolesi Jirga) in March 2006, consist of 25 members and were sworn in by President Karzai on May the 2nd 2006. President Karzai’s previous cabinet was appointed upon formation of the transitional government in 2002. After the September 18th Elections of 2005 the transitional cabinet was dissolved.

Upon announcing his candidacy for the presidential post, the President appointed his two Vice Presidents.
- First Vice President: Ahmad Zia Masood
- Second Vice President: Mohammad Karim Khalili

The Current Cabinet members are:
- H.E. Hedayat Amin Arsala is appointed as Senior Minister in the cabinet.

The Current Ministries and Ministers:

• Ministry of Foreign Affairs: H.E. Dr. Rangin Dadfar Spanta
• Ministry of National Defense: H.E. General Abdul Rahim Wardak
• Ministry of Interior Affairs: H.E. Zarar Ahmad Moqbel
• Ministry of Finance: H.E. Dr. Anwar- ul- Haq Ahadi
• Ministry of Economy: H.E. Dr. Mohammad Jalil Shams
• Ministry of Justice: H.E. Sarwar Danish
• Ministry of Culture and Youth Affairs: H.E. Abdul Karim Khoram
• Ministry of Education: H.E. DR. Mohamad Hanif Atmar
• Ministry of Higher Education: H.E. Dr. Ahzam Dadfar
• Ministry of Trade and Industries: H. E. Dr. Mohammad Amin Farhang
• Ministry of Water & Energy: H.E. Mohammad Ismail Khan
• Ministry of Transport and Aviation: H.E. Eng. Nehmatullah Ehsan Jawid
• Ministry of Women Affairs: H.E. Mrs. Hosn Bano Ghazanfar
• Ministry of Hajj and Islamic Affairs: H.E. Nematulla Shahrani
• Ministry of Public Welfare: H.E. Sohrab Ali Saffary
• Ministry of Public Health: H.E. Dr. Mohammad Amin Fatimie
• Ministry of Agriculture: H.E. Obaidullah Ramin
• Ministry of Mines: H.E. Ibrahim Adel
• Ministry of Communication: H.E. Eng. Amirzai Sangin
• Ministry of Rural Development: H.E. Ehsan Zia
• Ministry of Work and Social Affair Martyrs & Disabled: H.E. Noor Mohammad Qarqeen
• Ministry of Borders & Tribal Affairs: H.E. Karim Barahowie
• Ministry of Urban Development: H.E. Eng. Yousef Pashtun
• Ministry of Anti Narcotics: H.E. Habibullah Qaderi
• Ministry of Refugees: H.E. Mohammad Akbar

The Judiciary:

The Judiciary is to remain an independent organ of the State. It shall be comprised of one Supreme Court, Courts of Appeal as well as Primary Courts whose organization and authority should be regulated by law. The Supreme Court is to be the highest judicial organ, heading the judicial power of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.

The Supreme Court shall be comprised of nine members appointed by the President, with the endorsement of the House of People and in observance of the provisions of clause three of Article Fifty as well as Article One Hundred Eighteen of the Constitution.
Three members are to be appointed for a period of four years, three members for a period of seven years and three members for a period of ten years. Appointments made later shall be for a period of ten years. Appointment of members for a second term shall not be permitted.

The President should appoint one of the members as a Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. Supreme Court members are not to be dismissed until the end of their term except under circumstances stated in article One Hundred Twenty Seven of the Constitution.
Members of the Supreme Court are asked to take the following oath of office in the presence of the President:

"In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful, I swear in the name of God Almighty to attain justice and righteousness in accordance with tenets of the Holy religion of Islam, provisions of this Constitution as well as other laws of Afghanistan, and to execute the judicial duty with utmost honesty, righteousness and impartiality."

The Legislature:

On December 19th 2005, 351 new members of parliament were sworn in as the countries first democratically elected legislature in more than three decades. There were 2707 candidates, including 328 women, who competed for the 249 seats of the Wolesi Jirga or House of the People during the September 18th elections of 2005.

Each province is a constituency and has a varying number of seats, depending on population. Voters had a single non-transferable vote. People voted for candidates in their own province. Each Province has a number of representatives in Parliament, depending on the population. The Largest province by population is Kabul which has 33 seats (390 candidates, 50 female and 340 male).

The Meshrano Jirga or House of the Elders consists of an undetermined amount of members. One-third of the members were appointed by the President, while another third were elected by the provincial councils. Elections for the provincial councils were held simultaneously with those for the Wolesi Jirga. The remaining third were elected by the district councils.

Procedures for a Bill:
Any law has to be approved by both Houses of the National Assembly (NA), Wolesi Jirga as well as the Meshrano Jirga, and endorsed by the President. Proposals for drafting a Bill are made either by the Government or members of the National Assembly, or if related to regulating the judiciary, by the Supreme Court through the Government. A Bill is first submitted to the Wolesi Jirga (the Lower House or House of the People), which has one month to either approve or reject it by two thirds vote. The proposal is then referred to the Meshrano Jirga (the Upper House), which will decide its approval or rejection within fifteen days. If the President is to reject what the National Assembly has approved, he/she is required to send the Bill back to the Lower House within fifteen days outlining the reasons for the rejection. If the House of the People re-approves the Bill with a majority of two thirds then the Bill is considered endorsed and enforceable.
Proposals for drafting the budget and financial affairs law are only to be made by the government.

Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan:

A joint panel of Afghan and international scholars prepared the Draft Constitution, and it was then presented to the Grand Council. The Council Comprised representatives of different groups such as tribal leaders, civil society, religious minorities, the Muslim clergy, Afghan intellectuals, leaders of political parties, Afghan refugees, women, disabled people so one. The Council discussed the Draft Constitution over three-week periods and adopted the final Draft, which was different from the early draft on a number of points, paved the way for the subsequent presidential and parliamentary election.

The Constitution was adopted and came in force on the 3rd of January 2004.

The Constitution can be download from here.

National Anthem 2006:

Afghanistan's new national anthem which was first played in Kabul on 14th May 2006. It was approved by a 40-member council chosen from diverse Afghan Cultural backgrounds.

National Anthem Lyrics:

So long as there is the earth and the sky,
So long as the world endures;
So long as there is life in the world,
So long as a single Afghan breathes,
There will be this Afghanistan.
Whether we are Hazara or Baluch,
Pashai or Nuristani,
Uzbek or Turkmen,
Pashtun or Tajik,
Whatever ethnicity we are from,
We are all Afghans.
And children of one homeland.
Our chant is freedom,
peace and reconstruction,
development, and progress toward success.
This is our sacred call –
God is Great!
God is Great!

The National Anthem can be dowloaded from here.

Investment in the Land of Opportunities:

Today, even if Afghanistan is not the land of dreams, it certainly is the land of countless business opportunities. Afghanistan is strategically located between the energy rich republics of Central Asia and the major seaports of South Asia. This unique geographical advantage has enabled Afghanistan to be the crossroad of Central Asia for centuries and in the current tide of globalisation, its strategic location has bestowed upon Afghanistan the potential to develop into a regional business hub over the next 10 to 15 years.

Kabul enjoys significant advantages over its neighbouring capitals; its relative short distance to the major business centres around the region enables shorter flight distances and continued and strong presence of the international community in the coming years will also provide a unique and fruitful opportunity for investment.

Investment is a challenge in any environment; more so is the establishment of a new business in a country where the economy is in transition and the government new. However, the government of Afghanistan is working towards an environment of peace and security with the prospect of good profit in order to provide investors credible investment incentives and an excellent business environment

File Name	Language	Format
Foreign NGOs Registration Procedure	English & Dari
Foreign Company Registration Procedure	English & Dari

Afghanistan Investment Support Agency:

Afghanistan Investment Support Agency (AISA) is currently the main agency in Afghanistan that promotes and encourages the establishment of private, domestic and foreign investment. The mission of AISA is to

"facilitate and promote investment and rapid development of competitive private enterprise and thereby robust and sustainable economic growth in Afghanistan."

AISA assists investors with the following services:
• All necessary permits, licenses and clearances;
• General information on investment opportunities;
• Judicial details on investment, tax, labor, insurance and environmental laws/regulations and social/ecological standards;
• Financial information regarding banking facilities, labor costs, and investment incentives;
• Support in the acquisition/leasehold of land;
• Assistance in custom clearance of material related to the investment;
• Online investment inquiry/information and license application;
• Conferences and symposiums on important investment related issues;
• Announcement of investment opportunities via the foreign missions in Afghanistan and the Afghan Embassies overseas;
• Research, surveys and reviews on issues, which are considered to be of vital importance for investors;
• Regular consultations, dialogues, seminars and workshops with stakeholders;

Furthermore, the government of Afghanistan has based its Investment laws in accordance with the principles of the free market and stated its full support to encourage and protect private investments and enterprises. The unofficial translation of the Law on Private Investment in Afghanistan, Chapter 1 Article 2 (Purpose of Legislation) states:

The State is committed to maximizing private investment, both domestic and foreign, in the economy. It aims to create a legal regime and administrative structure that will encourage and protect foreign and domestic private investment in the Afghan economy in order to promote economic development, expand the labor market, increase production and export earnings, promote technology transfer, improve national prosperity and advance the people’s standard of living.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan gives its full support and assistance to the establishment of private domestic or foreign investment in Afghanistan. Devoting a separate deputyship to Economic Affairs within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is a testimony to our commitment and determination to play an active role in the process of reconstruction and development of the country.

Toursim in Afghanistan:

Tourism in Afghanistan was at its glorious best in the 1970s. Over 90,000 tourists visited Afghanistan from all over the world to see the unique beauty of the Country and experience the treat of one of the most hospitable group of people. Today, despite decades of war, Kabul remains a fascinating city that embraces both the old and the new. With the ever increasing presence of the international community and the ongoing redevelopment projects, Kabul has been given a touch of modern architecture that gives the city hope of a peaceful and prosperous future.

Afghanistan has a history of more than six thousand years, with many historical sights and attractions, among these are the more than two thousand year old famous Buddha Statues, the tomb of Hazrate Ali (the son in law of Prophet Mohammed p.b.u.h and the fourth caliph of Islam) in Mazar-e Sharif, the beautiful city of Balkh (also known as the Mother City of all Cities), the lakes of Band-e Amir, the deep lapis lazuli blue of the waters are a shocking contrast to the plain colours of the surrounding mountains.

Afghanistan has also been of great strategic importance for invading armies, from Genghis Khan to Alexander the Great. All these armies have left astonishing trails behind, trails that have been forgotten due to decades of war but are yet to be discovered. The Government is working to rebuild the war torn infrastructure of Afghanistan, a major project to develop transport links and a nationwide telecommunication link between Kabul and the other provinces has being established.

Furthermore, to assist the Tourism Industry of Afghanistan, the Government strongly encourages and offers its full support to the private sector to invest into the Tourism Industry. With ever increasing global tourism, the Afghan Tourist Industry has tremendous potential to become profitable. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan is willing to support any attempt that will further develop the tourism industry of Afghanistan.

Places of Interest:

Kabul

Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan since 1776, is a fast growing city where tall modern buildings nuzzle against bustling bazaars, wide avenues are filled with colorful flowing turbans, gaily striped chapans (cloak) and a multitude of handsome faces. The city is ringed with mountains gleaming emerald green in spring and glistening white in winter. In summer, they have an ever changing beauty turning from deep purple to brilliant pink under the rising and setting sun. Two craggy ranges crowned with ancient bastions divide the city and the Kabul River flows through a narrow pass between them to meander through the heart of the city. Travelers have written glowingly of Kabul for centuries and modern visitors continue to be captivated by its charm.

Photo Gallery of Kabul's New face after the fundamentalist regime of Taliban

Major Places of Interest in Kabul

BALA HISSAR:
Rising above the plain, the citadel (ca. 6 th C. A.D.) served for centuries as the seat of the rulers of Afghanistan. It witnessed most of the exciting events of the country's history until 1880, when it was destroyed during the Second Anglo-Afghan War.

ARG (Palace)
Amir Abdur Rahman (1880-1901) built this citadel to replace the Bala Hissar palaces. Within the Arg are the Salam Khana (Hall of Salutation) and the Dilkosha Palace (Heart's Delight). Presently, it houses the Presidential Offices and Mohammad Zahir Shah, the former Monarch's Residence.

OLD CITY WALLS :
The ancient walls of Kabul begin at Bala Hissar. They are 7 meters high, 3meters thick and assigned to the Hephthalite period (5 th Century A.D.).

Mausoleums:
The tomb of Timur Shah, son of Ahmad Shah Durrani, who moved the capital from Kandahar to Kabul, was built in 1817.
A charming landmark of the city is the mausoleum of Amir Abdur Rahman, one of Afghanistan's most dynamic rulers. It stands in Zarnegar Park, in the center of the city as a fine example of 19 th Century architecture remaining in Kabul.
The imposing white-marbled, blue domed mausoleum of Nadir Shah stands on the hill known as Tapa Maranjan overlooking Kabul.

BAGHE BALA:
A graceful, many domed palace glimmers on a hill to the north of the city. Built as a summer residence with a huge swimming pool and surrounded by pine trees, it is currently being refurbished as a Foreign Ministry guest house for foreign dignitaries.

BABUR'S GARDENS:
Laid out by Babur, the founder of the Moghul Dynasty, in the middle of the 16 th Century, the gardens include a summer pavilion added by Amir Abdur Rahman Khan, a commemorative mosque built by Emperor Shah Jahan and the tomb of Babur himself. Babur died in Agra in 1530 but he so loved these gardens that he asked to be buried here, a wish which was fulfilled by his Afghan wife Bibi Mobaraka.

National Museum:
Located at Darulaman, contains an impressive collection of artifacts illustrating Afghanistan's past from prehistory to modern times.

Bazaars:
Kabul's many colorful bazaars attract a large numbers of visitors for shopping and sightseeing. Kocha-e-Murgha (Chicken Street) in Shahr-e-Now is the most famous.

Mosques:
Kabul has many interesting mosque. The most famous ones on the center of the city are:
Masjide Pule Khesti
Masjide Shahe Du Shamshira
Masjide Sherpur (Blue Mosque)
Masjide ld Gah
Masjide Sayed Majnun Shah.

Kabul Surroundings

Istalif:
Istalif lies to the north of Kabul in the Koh Daman, a valley ringed by barren hills dotted with villages nestled within green orchards. It is one of the largest, most ancient and lovelies of all the valleys. Istalif is famous for its green and blue pottery and its picturesque bazaar. A visit to this place combines beautiful scenery with an introduction to Afghan Village life.
Belonging to the Shamali Plains, the area is famous for over 100 types of grapes.

Kabul Gorge:
Afghanistan is a country if impressive gorges and the Kabul Gorge (Tange Gharu) is it's most spectacular. A large piquet house stands at the top of the gorge from where one can savor this fantastic scenery at leisure. 3 km of switchback road leads down to the foot giving a full experience of its ruggedness.

Guldara Stupa:
An interesting historical site of the 4 th Century standing on a platform having a square base with Corinthian columns; statues once occupied the niches. The walls present a fine example of Kushan workmanship known as diaper masonry. The stupa was originally plastered and painted ochre-yellow with red designs.

Paghman:
Paghman is the most favored summer resort of Kabul. The imposing victory arch, standing in the central square, was built by King Amanullah in commemoration of the War of Independence in 1919. The road passes by the Baghe Umumi (Public Garden) where tea and snacks are served. Returning to Kabul, one may pass by Kargha Lake with the Spozhmay (moonlight) restaurant and the Kabul Golf Course, established by Amir Habibullah Khan in early 1900s.

GHAZNI

Ghazni, an important market town, particularly famous for embroidered sheepskin coats, was the dazzling capital of Ghaznavid Empire from 994-1160 encompassing much of northern India, Persia and Central Asia. Many campaigns into India were launched from here resulting in the spread if Islam to the East. This glorious city was razed to the ground by Arab invaders in 869, by the Ghorid Sultan Alauddin in 1151 and by Genghis Khan in 1221.The city did not recover its former grandeur, however, it enjoys a strategic position in the country's economy.

Major Places of Interest in Ghazni:

The Citadel;
One of the most imposing fortresses to be seen in Afghanistan, destroyed during the First Anglo-Afghan War, rebuilt, however, but never to regain its previous splendor.

Palace of Sultan Massoud III:
The very centre of the Ghaznavid Court is a vast complex including a throne room, government offices, soldiers' quarters, a mosque with its minarets and pockets of gardens in addition to the royal apartment.

The Minarets:
The two remaining Minarets in Ghazni, built by Sultan Masoud III (1099-1114) and Bahram Shah (1118-1152), now only a fraction of their original height, served as models for the spectacular tower of Jam (built in 1194) which in turn inspired the Qutob Minar at Delhi. The intricate decoration is in square Kufic and Noskhi script, in addition to panels of floral and geometric designs. The minaret of Sultan Masoud is more elaborate.

Other Interesting sites:

Other places of interest include the Mausoleum of Sultan Mahmud, Museum of Islamic Art, Tapa sardar Stupa and the Tomb of Fateh Khan Barakzai.

KANDAHAR

Kandahar, the birthplace and first capital of modern Afghanistan, founded by Ahmad Durrani in 1747, today home to less than a million people, is located on the Asia Highway halfway between Kabul and Herat. The area is rich with ancient history. Here, Alexander the Great founded Alexandria of Arachosia and the region was repeatedly fought over for by the Staffavids and Moghuls. It was the independent minded Afghans of Kandahar, first under the leadership of Mirwais Hotaki, its mayor and then of Ahmad Shah Durrani, who hastened the decline of both empires and annexed much of their territories to the young Afghan Kingdom in the 18 th Century.

Major Places of Interest in Kandahar:

Kherqa Sharif:
This shrine containing the cloak of the Prophet Mohammed is the most sacred one in Afghanistan. This relic was brought to Kandahar by Ahmad Shah Durrani.

Chehel Zina:
This interesting monument consists of 40 stairs leading to a chamber carved into a rock. Inside is an inscription stating that it was built by Babur, the founder of the Moghul Empire, and listing the domains of the Emperor.

Other Interesting Sites:

Zor Shar (Old City), Shrine of Haratji Baba, Shrine of Baba Wali, Charsuq (Bazar of 4 arcades).

LASHKARGAH-BOST

Lashkargah is the capital of the Helmand Province, built around the Helmand Arghandab Valley Authority which seeks to transform the deserts of the region into fertile fields as green as they were centuries ago before conquerors and anarchy consigned them to their present barrenness.
Ancient Lashkargah Bost, now lies to the south of the modern administrative town. Bost is recognized in the Zoroastian hymns of the AVESTA, in Achaemenid town lists and in 1st Century accounts. These references, however, are vague but there is no doubt that the citadel was taken by Arab conquerors around 661A.D. In the 9 th Century, the city grew to become the second city of the southwest. An Arab traveler in the middle of the 11the century describes the city as: " .one of the principle cities in the province of Seistan, except Zaranj, no city is larger. The inhabitants are polite and generous..It is a city well supplied with provision, fruits and dates." From the 11 th until the middle of the 12 Century, Bost prospered as the winter capital of the Ghaznavids, was burned and looted in 1151 by the Ghorids and then completely demolished by Genghis Khan in 1220.
Today the remains of the great palace of Mosoud still give the visitor an idea of the splendor of the court if what was then the greatest Empire of the East. The most remarkable monument is the magnificently decorated arch which has a span of 80feet.

HERAT

This history of Herat has been one of repeated destruction and reconstruction. Conqueror after conqueror, from the time of Alexander the Great, has taken it, destroyed it and then rebuilt it. In the 4 th Century B.C. Alexander the Great built the fort which is still standing in the center of the City. From 1040 to 1175 the city was ruled by the Seljuks who defeated the Ghaznavids and destroyed the fortress. Herat was then captured by the Ghorids until the city fell under the control of the Khwarazm Empire. In 1221, Herat was taken by the Mongols and Tuli, the son of Genghis Khan, who ruled for a time, but the citizens revolted and killed the Mongol garrison chief. Extremely angered, Genghis Khan rode upon the city with 80, 000 troops and besieged it for six months, leaving only forty people living. In 1245, Herat was given to the Kart Maliks. Tamerlane destroyed Herat in 1381. However, his son, ShahRukh, rebuilt it and started the cultural renaissance which made it the center of learning and culture. During the Timurid rule, the famous poet of Herat, Jami and the miniaturist, Behzad were born, Queen Gawhar Shad's Musalla was built and Gazergah restored. For the second time in its history, the city flourished. In 1718 the Afghan clan Chief Hotaki, struggled for Herat's independence which continued until 1880, when finally the city became an integral part of Afghanistan.

Photo Gallery of Herat's New face after the fundamentalist regime of Taliban

Major Places of Interest in Herat:

The Citadel:
This fort, originally built by Alexander the Great, suffered repeated attacks over the history, but still dominates the landscape of Herat. Held by the Ghaznavids, the Seljuks, the Ghorids, the Mongols, the Timurids, the Safavids and others, the citadel is a reminder of the times of kings, conquerors and great pageantry.

Masjide Jami:
This great mosque, in the center of the city has been a place of worship since the time of Zoroaster. Rebuilt several times, the mosque now stands in perfect splendor.



Gazargah:
The tomb of the famous 11 th Century poet and mystic Khaja Abdullah Ansari was restored by Shah Rukh in 1428. Inside the courtyard lies the tomb of Amir Dost Mohammad Khan.

Gawhar Shad's Mausoleum:
This mausoleum was built for Gawhar Shad, wife of Shah Rukh, youngest son of Tamerlane. The brightly colored, ribbed domes were very popular with the Timurids.

The Great Mosque, Herat

Jami's Tomb:
One of the greatest 15 th Century poets, Mawlana Nuruddin Abdur Rahman Jami, born in 1414, achieved widespread fame during his lifetime. He died in Herat in 1492 and is buried in a grave unadorned, save for a pistachio tree which has sprung from the tomb itself.

The Minarets:
Today, only six of the original twelve minarets remain of Queen Shad's great Musalla complex, built in the late 1400's. It was the Queen's contribution to the Timurid Empire during a period of cultural accomplishments. It consisted of a madrassa or place of learning and a musalla or place of worship. These magnificent buildings flanked by the minarets had been described at one time as the most imposing and eloquent structures to be seen in all Asia.

Charsuq:

Herat's Bazzars are full of fascination and color and were once an important trading centre at the caravan route from Europe to China. Today, items of interest to visitors include the famous hand-woven Herati Carpets and the beautiful and rustic blue glass produced by the traditional glass blowers of the city.

THE ROAD TO BALKH

The road to Balkh crosses the Hindukush via Salang Pass through the highest tunnel in the world (3363m). A drive over this pass offers, besides scenic beauty, a thrilling experience of high altitude.
En route about 240 km from Kabul (12 km from Pule khumiri) lies Surkh Kotal, site of a great religious temple, founded 130 in A.D. by Knishka the Great, King of the Kushans. It is one of Afghanistan's most important archeological sites, which was finally burned by the Hephthalites, nomadic rivals and ultimate successor to the Kushans. 70 km further north lies Aibak, the capital of the Samangan province. 2 km nearby is an important Buddhist site, dating back to the 4th Century A.D., locally known as Takhte Rustam (Rustam's Throne). Rustam, the hero of Firdausi's great epic, the Shahnama (Book of Kings), written in Ghazni around 1010, married the beautiful daughter of the King of Samangan, Tahma. The stupa cave crowns the hill in front of the monastery which was most probably destroyed by Hephthalites around 460 A.D. 60 km north is Tashkurghan (Khulm) with one of the last traditional Central Asian Covered Bazzars left in Afghanistan. A stroll through this bazaar is special interest. So are the Bala Hissar, the charming palace of Amir Abdur Rahman (Baghe Jahan Numa) and the tomb of Qilich Ali Beg, the most notable ruler of Khulm (1786-1817).

MAZAR-E SHARIF

Mazar-e Sharif, the capital of Balkh province, is a major trading center famous for Karakul, a great variety of traditional Turkman carpets and high-quality, long-staple cotton. The city is named for the magnificent shrine of Hazarate Ali, cousin and son-in law of Prophet Mohammed, the Fourth Caliph of Islam. Hazarate Ali was assassinated in 661 and buried at Kufa, near Baghdad. Local tradition, however, relates that his followers, fearing enemies may take revenge on the body, placed his remains on a white she-camel which wandered until she fell exhausted. On this spot the body was buried. All knowledge of the final resting place was lost until its existence was revealed and the great Seljuk Sultan Sanjar ordered a shrine built here in 1136. Genghis Khan destroyed this building and again the grave lay unmarked until a second revelation during the reign of the Timurid Sultan Husain Baiqara. He ordered an elaborate shrine constructed in 1481. None of the 15th Century decoration remains but modern restoration has returned the building to its original beauty. Thousands of white pigeons make their home there. Amir Sher Ali Khan lies buried here with other member of Amir Dost Mohammad's family. The largest tomb is that of the Amir's illustrious son, Mohammed Akbar Khan, who played a prominent role during the First Anglo-Afghan War of 1838-1842.

Mazar-e Sharif is visited by countless pilgrims throughout the year and particularly on Nawroz (21 March) when the great Janda (religious banner) is raised to announce the beginning of spring and the coming of the New Year which is the most elaborately celebrated festival in Afghanistan.

BALKH

Balkh, today only a small town, is very famous for its glorious past. Zoroaster preached here sometime in 6th Century B.C. Rites at the shrine to Anahita, Goddess of the Oxus, attracted thousands during the 5 th Century and Alexander the Great chose it for his base in the 4 th Century B.C. Under the Kushans, when Buddhism was practiced throughout Afghanistan, many holy temples flourished in Balkh. The Arabs called Balkh Umm-ul Bilad, the 'mother of cities'. By the 9 th Century, during the rule of the Samanid Dynasty, about 40 Friday Mosques stood within the city.

Major Places of Interest in Balkh:

The Madressa (college) of Sayid Subhan Quli Khan.
The ruins of the ancient city including the old city walls.
The Shrine and Mosque of Khwaja Abu Nasr Parsa.
The tomb of Rabia Balkhi.
The Masjide No Gumbad (Mosque of the nine Domes)

This exquisitely ornamented mosque, also referred to Haji Piyada, is the earliest Islamic monument yet identified in Afghanistan.

Balkhi is the home of Rabia Balkhi, the first poetess of Islamic period and of Mauwlana Jalaluddin Balkhi (Rumi), perhaps the most distinguished Sufi poet. His Masnawi is considered as the greatest poem collection ever written in the Persian language. Balkh's glorious history closed in 1220 when the mounted men of Genghis Khan rode through and left it utterly devastated. The city, nevertheless, lying on an important trade route recovered under the enlightened rule of Shah Rukh and his Queen Gawhar Shad, of Herat.

 

JALALABAD-HADDA

Jalalabad lies 150 km east of Kabul, passing Kabul Gorge, Naghlu, Sorobi and Darunta Lakes. The capital of Ningrahar province is an oasis ringed by mountains. Palaces, large gardens and tree-lined avenues speak of its long history as a favored winter capital. Today hundreds of small villas indicate its popularity as a resort town. Among many festivities taking place in this city, the most famous and outstanding are the Mushaira or Poet's festival dedicated to Jalalabad's orange blossoms and Waisak, a religious Hindu festival.

Seraj-ul-Emart, the residence of Amir Habibullah and King Amanullah was destroyed in 1929; the gardens however, retain vestiges of the past and offer a peaceful afternoon's stroll. The Mausoleum of both rulers is enclosed by a garden facing Seraj-ul-Emart.

Jalalabad is a junction and as a result, a favored stopover for travelers to Nuristan and Khyber Pass.

11 km south of the city lies Hadda, one of the most sacred spots of Buddhist world dating from the 2nd to the 7th Century A.D. Countless pilgrims from every corner of the earth come to worship at its many holy temples, maintained by thousand of monks and priests living in large monastery complexes. Even during his lifetime, Buddha visited Hadda.

This important archaeologist site is still under excavation with much of it turned into an open air museum.

 

NURISTAN

Nuristan refers to the area of Laghman and Ningrahar inhabited by approximately 600,000 Nuristanis. The area covers approximately 5,000 square miles with five main and numerous side valleys, each inhabited by a separate tribe speaking its own language, which, in many cases are mutually unintelligible and are grouped under the name Dardic, within the Indo-European language family. There are many physical and cultural differences between the people of Nuristan and those living around them.

The fact that they prefer stools and chairs to a rug on the floor is another obvious difference. Nuristani music is quite distinct, as are their instruments, among which the harp is certainly the most noticeable. Alexander the Great invited the young men to join his army for the Indian campaign. They proved their fighting quality with distinction. Many so-called "Greek" motifs and customs found in the Nuristani culture may well date from this experience.

Throughout the centuries that followed, the people of these mountains successfully defied conquest and conversion even as Buddhism and Hinduism were replaced by Islam on the plains below. The Muslims labeled them Kafirs because they worshipped a wide pantheon of nature spirits and practiced other customs incompatible with the Muslim religion.

In 1895 the army of Amir Abdur Rahman finally succeeded in subduing the Kafirs and converted them to Islam. When his victorious army arrived in Kabul, the Amir announced that henceforth Kafiristan (Land of the infidels) was to be known as Nuristan (Land of light).

A large part of Nuristan is inaccessible to all but those on foot for the trails are so difficult and precipitous, the foot-wide bridges, 30 feet and more above angry frothing waters, are so dizzying that horses simply cannot maneuver them.

Perhaps the most dramatic account of the hazards of traveling in Nuristan is told by the great Tamerlane. To subdue this little pocket of dissidents would be nothing for the World Conqueror. Confidence soon turned to despair as he recounts the hardships the terrain inflicted upon him. At one point he was being lowered down the cliffs in a basket, a maneuver unbefitting his image. Equally distressing was the attempt to lower his horses down in the same manner. All but two were dashed to death against the rocks. Tamerlane ends the account of his Nuristani campaign with a prayer of thanks for his deliverance from the inhospitable Kafiristan.

Almost all Nuristani villages are built on the tops of high peaks, the houses spill the mountainside one on top of the other, the roof of one serving as the front porch and playground of the house above. Children play vigorous games on these roofs, hanging precariously over drops of many hundreds of feet, but rarely, so say their parents, do they plunge into the depths below.

 

BAMIYAN

Bamiyan, with its archeological remains, is the most conspicuous tourist site of Afghanistan. The village lies about 2500m above sea level, 240km west of Kabul and attracts thousand of visitors annually. The exquisite beauty of this valley is embraced by the snow capped range of the Kohe Baba mountains in the south and in the north by the steep cliffs in which massive images of Buddha are carved. The pastel colors of its surroundings give visitors an impression of the magnificence and serenity of nature.

The area of Bamiyan developed under Kanishka the Great to become a major commercial and religious center and the smaller statue of Buddha (38m high) was built during his reign. Two centuries later the colossal Buddha statue (55mhigh) was carved. Thousands of ornamented caves, inhabited by yellow robed monks, extended into Folladi and Kakrak valleys where a smaller statue of Buddha (6.5m) stands. Pilgrims from the entire Buddhist world pour into Bamiyan to admire its spectacular and sacred sites. Bamiyan fell to the Islamic conquerors in the 9th Century.

Major Places of Interest in Bamyan:

SHARE GHOLGHOLA

Bamiyan was destroyed by Genghis Khan in 1221 to revenge the death of his grandson Mutugen. The ruins of the citadel, called 'city of noise', still give evidence of its magnitude before the Mongol devastation.

SHARE ZOHAK

This mass of ruins was once a principle fortress, protecting the entrance to the city of Bamiyan during the reign of the Shansabani Kings in the 12th and 13th Centuries. It also was a victim of Genghis Khan's vengeance.

 

AJAR VALLEY

This beautiful valley, embraced by picturesque mountains of fascinating formations and glooming ever changing colors, with a clear sparkling stream, full of trout, leads into a breathtaking chasm and is an unforgettable site for every visitor.

BANDE AMIR

Visitors to Afghanistan have marveled at the country's natural beauty. The formidable Hindu Kush, the vast Turkestan plains, and the seclusion of the southern deserts have impressed travelers from Alexander the Great to Marco Polo. It is the unspoiled natural beauty that forms the visitor's first and most enduring impression of the country. But of all the natural wonders of Afghanistan, the lakes of Bande Amir are perhaps the most out-standing. Situated in the mountainous Hazarajat at an altitude of approx.3000m, 75km from Bamiyan, these majestic blue lakes are of legendary beauty.

MINARET OF JAM (Central Route)

The Central route from Kabul to Herat is undoubtedly a fascinating experience but should only be undertaken by adventurous or pioneering travelers. Passing the first highlights, Bamiyan and Bande Amir, this route leads via Panjaw to Cheghcharan, the capital of the Ghor province. The road continues via Sharak towards north, where in a lonely, remote valley, closely surrounded on all sides by towering barren mountains stands the 65m high Minaret of Jam, at the southern bank of the Hari Rod River. Only the Qutob Minar in Delhi, built by Qutbundin after conquering India, is higher. It is the only well preserved architectural monument from the Ghorid period. En route to Herat, the Ghorid tombs of Cheste Sharif and the hot mineral springs of Obay are favored stopovers.
Minaret of Jam

Transportation

Most road building occurred in the 1960's, funded by the U.S. and the former Soviet Union. In 1964, a road and tunnel was built through the Salang tunnel, connecting northern and southern Afghanistan. A highway connecting the principal cities of Heart, Kandahar, Ghazni, and Kabul with links to highways in neighbouring Pakistan formed the primary road system.

Sine 2001, many sections of Afghanistan's highway and regional road system are undergoing significant reconstruction. The U.S. (with assistance from Japan) completed a highway linking Kabul to the southern regional capital, Kandahar. Construction is soon to begin on the next phase of highway reconstruction between Kandahar and the western city of Herat. The Asian Development Bank has nearly completed a road reconstruction project between Kandahar and Spin Boldak, located at the southeastern border with Pakistan.

Airlines:

Afghanistan's national airline, Ariana, operates domestic and international routes, including flights to New Delhi, Islamabad, Dubai, Moscow, Istanbul, Tehran, and Frankfurt. A private carrier, Kam Air, commenced domestic operations in November 2003.
Ariana Afghan Airlines is the country's national carrier and flies to many of the major cities in Asia and Europe. For information on domestic flights, check with Ariana overseas and local offices or see the website: http://www.flyariana.com

Private Airline called KAMAIR in Afghanistan provides domestic and international flight schedules, online booking, fleet information, baggage and offices abroad.

http://www.FlyKamAir.com

Afghan Airports: http://afghanairlines.tripod.com/airports/airports.html

Accommodation

Although conventional categories cannot be assigned to hotels outside Kabul, the larger cities generally offer acceptable lodging. Kabul has hotels ranging from the upscale Inter-Continental to various good first class hotels such as the Mustafa Hotel, and inexpensive but low standard lodging located throughout the city. The Hyatt is in the process of constructing a 5 STAR hotel in Kabul.

1: Serena Hotel

The Kabul Serena Hotel, conveniently located in the centre of Kabul city overlooking the famous Zarnegar Park, is situated close to all the Embassies and Ministries, and is just 20 minutes from the airport. Built in 1945, amid landscaped gardens, the hotel has undergone a complete refurbishment, through the rehabilitation of the existing building and the addition of a completely new section. The hotel dominates a busy junction and is situated in the city’s commercial centre.

http://www.serenahotels.com/afghanistan/kabul/home.asp

2 : Mustafa Hotel

Rooms start from $20-100 a night.
Provides 24 hour security, off street parking.
Provides Kabul's famous Kebab night every Thursday.
http://www.mustafahotel.com
[mailto:mustafa_hotel@hotmail.com
Tel: + 93 (0) 70276021

Other Services:

Fed Ex Express
Afghan' Express Ltd.' (License of Federal Express Corporation)
Kart 3, Khai Street, House # 326, North of Ministry of Commerce, Kabul, Afghanistan
Mobile: + 93 (0) 70286 028/9, Tel: (020) 2500525
Fax: (020) 2500524
[mailto:info@afghanex.com]
http://www.fedex.com

Saloon

The Oasis Salon - Kabul's First Full Service Salon
. Cutting, Colour, Highlights, Foils, Perms, Styles
. Manicure, Pedicure, Facial, Massage, Waxing, Threading and Permanent Makeup
. All hairdressers are western trained
. Operating in accordance with western hygiene standards
. Visa & Master card accepted
Open Sat - Wed 12:30 - 9:00 pm, Thurs & Fri 9:00 am - 9:00 pm
For appointments contact Debbie at: [debbiehairdresser@hotmail.com] or + 93 (0)79 217 669

Internet

Major hotel's such as the Inter-Continental and Mustafa hotel, as well as numerous internet cafes around Kabul offer internet connection.

Mobile Phones

Mobile phones, inter-changeable SIM Cards and calling cards can be purchased all over Kabul. Afghan Wireless and Suraya vendors can be spotted throughout the city. Three major mobile companies, Afghan Wireless, Areeba and Roshan are active.
Link - Afghan Wireless: http://www.afghanwireless.com
Link - Roshan: http://www.roshan.af
Link - Areeba: http://www.areeba.com.af

Restaurants

International and Afghan dishes are readily available in many of Kabul's modern restaurants.

Afghanistan is essentially known for its variety of palaws (rice cooked with meat, chicken, or vegetables in various ways), which are found throughout the country. Afghan Kabob (charbroiled skewered meat), Bolani and Ashak (Afghan-style ravioli stuffed with leeks topped with yogurt and cooked ground beef) are a few of the many tasty dishes.

International Restaurants:

Vila Velebita
. Named after a Croatian national song, the Vila Velebita in Wazir Akbar Khan is the latest on Kabul's growing list of restaurants. The Velebita offers seafood, steaks, wood fired oven pizzas ($5-8) and more, with all ingredients flown in from Germany and Italy. It is the pricier league of Kabul international restaurants.
. Offers Steaks, seafood, pizzas and more
Open 12 / 3 pm and 6 / 11 pm - Wazir Akbar Khan, Street 10, just before the Standard Chartered Bank / Tel + 93 (0) 79 16 0368

Anaar
. Multi Cuisine Restaurant serving authentic Indian-Chinese Thai food
. Warm Environment with Rustic Decor
. Bakery and Confectionary Outdoor Catering
. Lunch from 11-3, Dinner from 7-11
Central location: Behind UNICA Guesthouse, opposite of Dutch Embassy
Contact: + 93 (0) 79 317 745
[mailto:anaarkabul@yahoo.com]

Sufi
Sufi is an Afghan Restaurant managed by a foreigner and provides anything but your standard lunchtime fare. As soon as you enter the candle lit room you feel as though you've just entered the land and time of Ali Baba. All the plates, glasses and interior furnishing are Afghan and the room is filled with brightly colored carpets and cushions. There are also tables and chairs for those who prefer not to sit on the floor and cutler is also provided.
Menu:
. Mantoo and Ashak $ 5
. Qabuli Pilau $ 9
. A number of Kebabs $ 9 - $ 11
. Kofte Chalau, mince, plums and saffron served on basmati rice $ 9
Address: Cinema Aryub, Bagh-e-Bala, Karte Parwan (Located at the foot of the Intercontinental Hotel hill in Karte Parwan)
Telephone: + 93 (0) 70 21 0651
[mailto:sufi@ppaiwastoon.com.af]
http://www.paiwastoon.com.af
(Open every evening except Sundays, with special events on Wednesday evenings)

Mediterraneo Club
. European restaurant, espresso cafe'
. Leafy courtyard dining, pool table, big screen TV
Address: From the city centre, take the road of the former British Embassy, turn left opposite to the new mosque and then take the 3rd on the right. Mediterraneo Club is at the end of the road
Telephone: + 93 (0) 79 44 77 33
Open 10am till late, 7 days

Elbow Room Restaurant
. International Cuisine
. Outdoor seating & dining
. New Lunch menu
Open everyday, dinner 6:30 - 11pm, Lunch 11am - 3pm
Telephone: + 079 352 538, + 070 254 432

Flower Street Café
. Serving Kabul's best cappuccino, latte, and fresh juices, with gourmet sandwiches, salads and munchies
. Indoor and garden seating available or take away
. Open daily 8 am to 7pm
. Brunch - Fridays & Saturdays - served 9am to 2pm
Address: Located at House # 57, Street 7, Qalai Fatullah
(between Taimanee and Qalai Fatullah roads)
Tel: + 93 (0) 70.29.3124 or + 93 (0) 79.35.6319
[mailto: flowerstreetcatering@hotmail.com]

In addition, there are other wonderful Iranian, Chinese, Thani and Afghan ethnic cuisine restaurants.

Handicrafts and Shopping

Afghanistan offers the visitor a rich selection of handicrafts such as luxurious Afghan carpets, karakul coats as well as Afghan fur overcoats and jackets. Embroidered material, caps, and waist-coats, hand-woven silk fabrics and antiques are some of the items that tempt the traveller. Exportation of antiques requires authorization from appropriate authorities. Purchase of artifacts belonging to the Kabul museum or heritage of Afghanistan is punishable by law and will be confiscated.

Banks:

Thirteen private and international Banks have received their licenses from the Central Bank in the past three years. The National Bank, Pashtani Tejarati, Standard Chartered, Pakistan National Bank and Aryan Bank are among these private banks in Afghanistan.

Afghanistan International Bank
Arian Bank
Azizi Bank
Bank-E-Mili
Alfalah Bank Ltd
Export Promotion Bank
The First MicroFinance Bank
Habib Bank of Pakistan
Kabul Bank
National Bank of Pakistan
Pashtany Tejaraty Bank
Punjab National Bank - India
Standard Chartered Bank

 

For further information please go to website of Afghanistan Banks Association

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