Since the 2021 abolition of the Afghan presidency by the Taliban, it has served as the meeting place of the Cabinet of Afghanistan.

Abdur Rahman Khan named it Arg-e-Shahi (Citadel of the King) and included, among other buildings, a residence for his family, an Afghan Army barracks, and the national treasury.

Previously, the Bala Hissar served as the citadel or the headquarters of the emirs until it was destroyed by the Frontier Force Regiment during the Second Anglo-Afghan War (1878–80).

During the 1978 Saur Revolution, Mohammad Daoud Khan and his family were assassinated by members of the People's Democratic Party of Afghanistan (PDPA) inside the Arg.

[3][4] The Taliban has since been using the Arg to hold meetings of the Cabinet of Afghanistan, except those chaired by the Supreme Leader, which are held in Kandahar.