In a cabinet session on Wednesday, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani ordered government administrations to complete construction processes relating to the preservation of cultural and heritage sites within five years, in order to attract of tourists.

In addition, it was decided in the session that $16.5 million USD would be set aside for the reconstruction of Darul Aman palace.

Darul Aman Palace was built in the early 1920s as part of the endeavors of King Amanullah Khan to modernize Afghanistan. Many people consider it testimony to the 100-year friendship between Germany and Afghanistan as a German engineer Walter Harten and his team of 20 architects designed the landmark building.

Sadly, in the Communist coup of 1978, the building was set on fire. It was damaged again as rival Mujahideen factions fought for control of Kabul in the early 1990s after the end of the Soviet invasion. Heavy shelling by the Mujahideen left the building a gutted ruin.

On Thursday, Aziz Ibrahimi Ministry of Urban Development and Housing media advisor said: "The construction will take place for three reasons. First construction of historical monuments, second preservation of cultural and historical heritages and third to attract tourists."

However, construction work has been ongoing over the past eight months where the palaces boundary walls are being rebuilt using Mica Schist stones.

"We have been working here for eight months, preparing stones for the palace's surrounding walls," said Zia one of the workers.

Meanwhile, Mohammad Kabir, a 108-year-old gardener at the palace, told of times gone by when as a young man he tended the gardens for King Amanullah Khan and his family.

"Whenever I look at the palace I suffer and even become sick," he said.

But the parliamentary transport and telecommunications commission said that money collected for the reconstruction of the palace has gone missing.

"Almost 100 million Afghanis were collected from the entire province for the reconstruction but there are documents showing that the money is missing. We call on the President and CEO to monitor the palace reconstruction process so corruption does not take place," said Farhad Siddqi, a commission member.