New Parliament Building Inaugurated In Kabul

Afghanistan’s new parliament building

On Friday, December 25th, during his first visit to Kabul, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi officially inaugurated Afghanistan’s new parliament building, which is being described as “India’s symbolic gift of democracy to Afghanistan”.

President Ashraf Ghani, Abdul Rauf Ibrahimi, Speaker of the Lower of House Parliament (Wolesi Jirga) and Abdul Hadi Muslimyar, Chairman of the Upper House (Meshrano Jirga) of Parliament were present during the inauguration ceremony.

Construction work on the building had started back in 2007 by an Indian company at a cost of $90 million, according to Afghanistan’s Tolo News. The new building has one of the largest domes in Asia, and has elements of both Mughal and modern architecture. Marbles were brought in from Herat province to be used in the building. The building is located between the historic Darulaman and Queen’s palaces in Kabul.

According to Khaama Press, the building comprises of 4 sections. It will house both the Lower House (Wolesi Jirga) and the Upper House (Meshrano Jirga). It also has a masjid, offices for lawmakers, conference rooms, dining halls, a library, press office, and much more.

See video footage of the building from Tolo News