Paghman is a town in the hills near Afghanistan's capital of Kabul. It is the seat of the Paghman District which has a population of about 120,000 (2002 official UNHCR est.). The Paghman District is situated in the western part of Kabul Province. The Paghman Gardens is a major attraction in Paghman, and is why the city is sometimes known as the capital garden of Afghanistan.
After King Amanullah Khan and Queen Soraya Tarzi's return from Europe, Amanullah brought in foreign experts to redesign Kabul. At that time, at the entrance of Paghman, they created a European style monumental gate similar to the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, France.
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 headquarters is the town of Paghman, which is situated in the northeastern part of the district.
The Paghman area is greener compared to many other parts of the region, and also has fruit trees. Located at the foot of the Hindu Kush mountain range, Paghman became a holiday retreat with villas and chalets, as well as the summer capital. It was a popular place for the wealthy and the aristocracy to visit. It is known today as a place where people can relax and spend the weekends, and has become an important place for local and foreign tourists.
The Kabul River, the only large river in the Kabul province, is fed by springs and snow-melt runoffs from Paghman. There is also a canal system, in need of repair, which extends from Paghman to Tapa (hill).
