Kabul gold rush: western billions bear fruit in luxury property boom for afghan capital

The brochures offering pampered life in state-of-the-art apartments could be selling dream properties in any Western capital.

And the ornate towers and palm trees shown in artists' impressions would look at home in the boulevards of a Gulf emirate.

However the chic apartments they advertise will not be built in London, Dubai or New York, but in one of the world's poorest countries, wracked by a violent insurgency.

In Kabul, a series of luxury apartment blocks and even a skyscraper are planned for those who have made fortunes in the gold rush bought by Nato forces. Twin 26-storey towers are scheduled to begin construction next month and at least eight other luxury blocks are planned or underway.

Source: The Telegraph