Afghanistan Times
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KABUL – In the heart of a city scarred by decades of conflict, an unlikely economic surge is unfolding—luxury housing in Kabul is experiencing an unprecedented boom. Real estate agents report soaring property values as improved security and stability attract buyers with deep pockets.
Omidullah, a Kabul-based agent, is marketing a lavish nine-bedroom, nine-bathroom villa for $450,000—an eye-popping figure in a nation where most people rely on humanitarian aid and bank mortgages are almost nonexistent. Yet, offers are flooding in.
“It’s a myth that Afghans don’t have money,” Omidullah remarked. “Many wealthy Afghans with international businesses are investing here, buying million-dollar properties.”
This surge is driven by Afghans returning from abroad, spurred by the country’s newfound calm under Taliban rule. Deportation campaigns in Iran and Pakistan are also funneling cash into Kabul’s high-end market.
Real estate veteran Ghulam Mohammed Haqdoost credits the Taliban’s governance for the boom. Their efforts to curtail corruption and streamline bureaucratic processes have removed hurdles like warlord interference and bribes for land purchases.
“House prices have risen by almost 40%,” Haqdoost revealed. “In three years, we’ve sold nearly 400 properties—unimaginable before.”
The upscale housing trend reflects the tastes of returning Afghans accustomed to modern conveniences like dining tables, central heating, and elevators. Kabul’s municipality is also stepping up, repairing roads, installing streetlights, and removing waste to make the city more livable.
This luxury property renaissance in a war-torn city symbolizes Afghanistan’s complex journey toward recovery, blending hope and stark inequality in its path forward.
