It is the seat of the Paghman District (in the western part of Kabul Province) which has a population of about 120,000 (2002 official UNHCR est.

Originally a small village at the bottom of the Hindu Kush, Paghman turned into a holiday retreat with villas and chalets as well as the summer capital.

Its wide avenues contained fir, poplar and nut trees which flew past the arch, villas and a golf course.

On September 1, 1928, King Amanullah convoked the Loya Jirga to Paghman to the puzzlement of many delegates, who found themselves at odds with the dress-code.

On September 7, 1928, the Hazrat of Shor Bazaar—an influential political figure in Kabul—presented the king with a petition signed by some 400 religious leaders opposing many of Amanullah's reforms.

The palace's surroundings also consists of thousands of newly planted trees as well as a Buzkashi field, a waterfall and other attractions.

The locality was traditionally the family seat of the Paghman saadat most noted for its famous descendant Idries Shah.

[9] Prominent Paghman natives include some leaders of Loya Jirgas, tribal chiefs, a president, and one king.