Afghan Government
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The government of Afghanistan, officially called the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, is the
central government A central government is the government that is a controlling power over a unitary state. Another distinct but sovereign political entity is a federal government, which may have distinct powers at various levels of government, authorized or dele ...
of
Afghanistan Afghanistan, officially the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan,; prs, امارت اسلامی افغانستان is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central Asia and South Asia. Referred to as the Heart of Asia, it is bordere ...
, a
unitary state A unitary state is a sovereign state governed as a single entity in which the central government is the supreme authority. The central government may create (or abolish) administrative divisions (sub-national units). Such units exercise only th ...
. Under the leadership of the
Taliban The Taliban (; ps, طالبان, ṭālibān, lit=students or 'seekers'), which also refers to itself by its state (polity), state name, the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, is a Deobandi Islamic fundamentalism, Islamic fundamentalist, m ...
, the government is a
theocracy Theocracy is a form of government in which one or more deity, deities are recognized as supreme ruling authorities, giving divine guidance to human intermediaries who manage the government's daily affairs. Etymology The word theocracy origina ...
and an
emirate An emirate is a territory ruled by an emir, a title used by monarchs or high officeholders in the Muslim world. From a historical point of view, an emirate is a political-religious unit smaller than a caliphate. It can be considered equivalen ...
with political power concentrated in the hands of a supreme leader and his clerical advisors, collectively referred to as the Leadership. The Leadership makes all major policy decisions behind closed doors, which are then implemented by the country's civil service and judiciary. As Afghanistan is an
Islamic state An Islamic state is a State (polity), state that has a form of government based on sharia, Islamic law (sharia). As a term, it has been used to describe various historical Polity, polities and theories of governance in the Islamic world. As a t ...
, governance is based on
Sharia Sharia (; ar, شريعة, sharīʿa ) is a body of religious law that forms a part of the Islamic tradition. It is derived from the religious precepts of Islam and is based on the sacred scriptures of Islam, particularly the Quran and the H ...
, which the Taliban enforces strictly through extensive social and cultural policy. Over its history, Afghanistan has variously been governed as a
monarchy A monarchy is a form of government in which a person, the monarch, is head of state for life or until abdication. The political legitimacy and authority of the monarch may vary from restricted and largely symbolic (constitutional monarchy) ...
, a
republic A republic () is a "state in which power rests with the people or their representatives; specifically a state without a monarchy" and also a "government, or system of government, of such a state." Previously, especially in the 17th and 18th c ...
, and a theocracy. The current theocratic government came to power in 2021 with the Taliban's victory in a twenty-year insurgency against the western-backed
Islamic Republic The term Islamic republic has been used in different ways. Some Muslim religious leaders have used it as the name for a theoretical form of Islamic theocratic government enforcing sharia, or laws compatible with sharia. The term has also been u ...
, after having itself been ousted in 2001. The current government is internationally unrecognized and lacks a clear constitutional basis, though the Taliban has announced plans to form a
constitutional commission Many entities have been called a Constitutional Commission with the general purpose of reviewing a constitution, or planning to create one. Afghanistan *Afghan Constitution Commission ** Timeline of the War in Afghanistan (August 2003) * Reigns ...
in the near future. It claims to be using the 1964 monarchy constitution in the interim, amended to be compliant with Sharia law, but there is a lack of evidence that it is being followed. Instead, the government applies an arbitrary interpretation of Sharia. There is no
separation of powers Separation of powers refers to the division of a state's government into branches, each with separate, independent powers and responsibilities, so that the powers of one branch are not in conflict with those of the other branches. The typic ...
, with total authority vested in the Leadership. The government is criticized by international observers for
totalitarianism Totalitarianism is a form of government and a political system that prohibits all opposition parties, outlaws individual and group opposition to the state and its claims, and exercises an extremely high if not complete degree of control and reg ...
, systemic
human rights violations Human rights are moral principles or normsJames Nickel, with assistance from Thomas Pogge, M.B.E. Smith, and Leif Wenar, 13 December 2013, Stanford Encyclopedia of PhilosophyHuman Rights Retrieved 14 August 2014 for certain standards of hum ...
, as well as for being
unaccountable Accountability, in terms of ethics and governance, is equated with answerability, blameworthiness, liability, and the expectation of account-giving. As in an aspect of governance, it has been central to discussions related to problems in the pub ...
,
opaque Opacity or opaque may refer to: * Impediments to (especially, visible) light: ** Opacities, absorption coefficients ** Opacity (optics), property or degree of blocking the transmission of light * Metaphors derived from literal optics: ** In lingui ...
, and exclusive of women, religious and ethnic minorities, and those with dissenting views. Since coming to power, it has grappled with an economic crisis, international isolation, terrorism and rebellion, and a string of natural disasters.


Supreme leadership


Supreme Leader

The supreme leader of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan is the head-of-state, commander-in-chief, and religious leader of Afghanistan. These responsibilities include appointing and dismissing the cabinet, judiciary, armed forces general staff, and provincial and municipal governments, issuing decrees, special instructions, and orders regulating the operations of those mentioned above. Supreme leaders have all served life terms, with their deputies appointed by the Leadership Council to succeed them. The supreme leader is advised by an advisory council of four to six individuals on appointments, national security, and domestic and religious policy, which form an advisory committee. These individuals have the final say on all policy decisions.


Deputy Leader(s)

The deputy leader(s) of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan is the deputy head-of-state and is appointed by the supreme leader for an indefinite term. The deputy leader serves as acting top leader when the former is incapacitated or otherwise unavailable to execute their duties. However, there can be more than two deputy leaders,'Taleban leader held' in Pakistan
BBC News BBC News is an operational business division of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) responsible for the gathering and broadcasting of news and current affairs in the UK and around the world. The department is the world's largest broadca ...
, March 2, 2007
as was the case with Akhtar Mansoor promoting Haibatullah Akhundzada and Sirajuddin Haqqani to the positions. By norm, the first deputy leader succeeds the supreme leader upon death.


Ulema Council of Kandahar

The Ulema Council of Kandahar, or Kandahar Provincial Council, is the de facto ruling and executive oversight body of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. Despite being officially responsible for advising and overseeing the Kandahar provincial government, it also approves and disapproves all decisions made by the Kabul-based Council of Ministers. All its members are ulema native to or residents of Kandahar province. The supreme leader appoints all 24 members, with the council itself is presided over by a chairman and deputy chairman and being assisted by a financial and administrative director.


Council of Ulema (national)

The Council of Ulema or Ulema Shura is the highest religious authority in Afghanistan. It is responsible for ensuring all policies by the executive conform to Sharia and can overrule decisions made by the Council of Ministers. Other responsibilities include the appointment, removal or replacement, and giving of allegiance, to the Supreme Leader.


Central Dar ul-Ifta

The Central Dar ul-Ifta is responsible for issuing fatwas on various issues. It functions as a religious judicial body, allowed to make quasi-binding decisions on multiple topics its scholars deem to be in line with Islamic Law. Its director is appointed and dismissed by the supreme leader.


Executive


Prime Minister

The prime minister of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan is the appointed head of government. They are responsible for overseeing the civil service operations and presiding over the Council of Ministers. The prime minister's office is one of six institutions within the cabinet that are directly under the purview of the supreme leader. The prime minister, along with the cabinet, is appointed and dismissed by the supreme leader for an undefined term.


Deputy Prime Ministers

The deputy prime ministers of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan are the appointed deputy heads of government, responsible for presiding over the civil service and Council of Ministers in the prime minister's absence or incapacity. Deputy prime ministers are also assigned specialized portfolios since 2021, overseeing technical commissions addressing critical issues. Like the prime minister and cabinet, the deputy prime ministers are appointed and dismissed by the supreme leader for an undefined term.


Council of Ministers

The council of ministers of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan is the cabinet. It comprises 26 ministries whose agency executives administer the civil service and are overseen by the Prime Minister. Despite being led by the prime minister, it’s effectively answerable and subordinate to the Supreme Leader. * Office of the Prime Minister * Office of the Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs * Office of the Deputy Prime Minister for Administrative Affairs * Office of the Deputy Prime Minister for Political Affairs *
Ministry of Defence {{unsourced, date=February 2021 A ministry of defence or defense (see spelling differences), also known as a department of defence or defense, is an often-used name for the part of a government responsible for matters of defence, found in states ...
* Ministry of Interior Affairs *
Ministry of Finance A ministry of finance is a part of the government in most countries that is responsible for matters related to the finance. Lists of current ministries of finance Named "Ministry" * Ministry of Finance (Afghanistan) * Ministry of Finance and Eco ...
*
Ministry of Education An education ministry is a national or subnational government agency politically responsible for education. Various other names are commonly used to identify such agencies, such as Ministry of Education, Department of Education, and Ministry of Pub ...
*
Ministry of Information and Culture Ministry may refer to: Government * Ministry (collective executive), the complete body of government ministers under the leadership of a prime minister * Ministry (government department), a department of a government Religion * Christian mi ...
*
Ministry of Economy A ministry of economy, ministry of commerce, ministry of economic affairs or department of commerce is a part of the government in most countries that is responsible for matters related to the economy or economic policy. List Examples of such mini ...
*
Ministry of Hajj and Religious Affairs Past and current governments of Afghanistan have included a minister of Haj and Religious Affairs ps, د ارشاد، حج او اوقافو وزارت, ( prs, وزارت ارشاد، حج و اوقاف) in their Afghan Cabinet, Cabinet. The Curr ...
*
Ministry of Justice A Ministry of Justice is a common type of government department that serves as a justice ministry. Lists of current ministries of justice Named "Ministry" * Ministry of Justice (Abkhazia) * Ministry of Justice (Afghanistan) * Ministry of Just ...
*
Ministry of Borders and Tribal Affairs ) ( prs, وزارت امور سرحدات، اقوام و قبایل) , nativename_a = , nativename_r = , logo = Emblem of Ministry of Borders and Tribal Affairs (Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan).png , logo_width = 148px , l ...
*
Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development prs, وزارت بازسازی و انکشاف دهات) , native_name_a = , native_name_r = , type = , seal = , seal_width = 155 , seal_caption = , logo ...
* Ministry of Preaching and Guidance, Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Evil * Ministry of Public Health *
Ministry of Commerce and Industry A Ministry of Trade and Industry, Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry or variations is a ministry that is concerned with a nation's trade, industry and commerce. Notable examples are: List *Algeria: Ministry of Industry and M ...
* Ministry of Public Works * Ministry of Mines and Petroleum *
Ministry of Water and Power The Ministry of Water and Power ur, , ''wazarat-e- aabb o barq-e'' (abbreviated as MoPW) was a federal ministry in Pakistan. The ministry was dissolved in August 2017. The water division was merged with newly created Ministry of Water Resourc ...
* Ministry of Aviation and Transport *
Minister of Higher Education {{Unreferenced, date=March 2019, bot=noref (GreenC bot) A Ministry of Higher Education is a government department that focuses on the provision or regulation of institutions of higher education. In some countries these exist as ministries compounde ...
*
Ministry of Communications and Information Technology A Communications Ministry or Department of Communications is a ministry or other government agency charged with communication. Communications responsibilities includes regulating telecommunications, postal services, broadcasting and print media. T ...
* Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation * Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock


Commissions

Several commissions have been formed to handle issues and subjects seen as critical by the Islamic Emirate. Several cabinet ministers or ministry directors are appointed to chair these commissions. There are currently several commissions that have been formed since August 15, 2021. * Economic Commission * Administrative Commission * Repatriation and Contact of Afghan Personalities Commission * Security and Settlement Affairs Commission * Declaration and Liquidation Commissions * Media Violations Commission * Aid Submission Commission * Political Commission * National Procurement Commission


Judiciary

The judiciary of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan is the judicial system. It consists of the Supreme Court, Military Courts, Appellate Courts, Civil Courts, and Primary Courts. All justices and court officials are appointed and dismissed by the Supreme Leader.


Supreme Court

The supreme court of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan is the court of final resort and oversees the judiciary. Currently, the court comprises a chief justice and two deputy justices. In the first round of judicial appointments after the Fall of Kabul, the supreme court appointed all judges.


Appellate Court(s)

The appellate courts are the courts of second appeal operating at the provincial level. Each court is presided over by an appointed Chief Justice and assisted by a court clerk in administration alongside a mufti. Cases are heard from Primary Courts.


Primary Court(s)

Primary courts are the courts of the first instance, operating at the district level. Like the Appellate Courts, Primary Courts are presided over by an appointed chief justice presides over the court and are assisted by a clerk in administration alongside a mufti.


Zonal military courts

Eight military courts serve as a court of the second instance for crimes involving personnel within the Armed Forces of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. These courts are led by an appointed ‘executive commander’ while judicial hearings are presided over by an appointed justice. Zonal military counters operate above provincial military courts.


Provincial military courts

Provincial military courts are courts of the first instance for crimes involving military personnel at the regional level. All cases are presided over by an appointed justice, which would be heard by the respective zonal military court if approved.


Provincial governments


Provincial Ulema Council

The supreme leader appoints a provincial Ulema Councils, also known as the Council of Scholars, to oversee the governor and civil service. The council is given the power to advise the provincial government and overrule any policy or decision contrary to Islam. Each council comprises 15 to 24 appointed religious scholars and tribal elders. An appointed chairman presides over the body, while a deputy chairman and financial and administrative director assist him.


Provincial governor

The provincial governor is appointed and dismissed by the supreme leader to oversee the province's administration under the regional ulema council. All governors supervise the work of local civil service and can issue instructions regulating or directing their work.


Provincial departments

Beneath the provincial governor is departments that manage the local civil service. These departments are regional directorates of ministries within the council of ministers. Directors appointed and dismissed by the supreme leader oversee the operation of their respective local departments. These departments at the provincial level are: * Governor’s Office * Finance Department * Education Department * Agriculture, Livestock, and Irrigation Department * Information and Culture Department * Hajj and Religious Affairs Department * Rural Rehabilitation and Development Department * Preaching and Guidance, Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Evil Department * Public Works Department * Refugee and Repatriation Department * Intelligence Department


Security forces

Internal and external security of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan are the responsibility of the Ministry of Interior Affairs and Ministry of Defence respectively. The heads of these two respective ministries are Mohammed Yaqoob, head of the Military Affairs Commission within the Rahbari Shura and son of
Mullah Omar Mullah Muhammad Omar (; –April 2013) was an Afghan Islamic revolutionary who founded the Taliban and served as the supreme leader of Afghanistan from Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (1996–2001), 1996 to 2001. Born into a religious family of ...
, and Sirajuddin Haqqani, head of the Haqqani Network. Currently the Islamic Emirate Army is subdivided into eight corps, mostly superseding the previous corps of the Afghan National Army. In November 2021
Mullah Yaqoob Mullah Mohammad Yaqoob Mujahid (Pashto/, , ; born 1990) is an Afghan Islamic scholar, cleric, and Islamist militant who is the second deputy leader of Afghanistan and the acting defense minister. He has been a deputy leader of the Taliban s ...
, Acting
Minister of Defense A defence minister or minister of defence is a cabinet official position in charge of a ministry of defense, which regulates the armed forces in sovereign states. The role of a defence minister varies considerably from country to country; in som ...
, announced the new names and of the corps.


See also

*
Recognition of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan The Taliban has ruled Afghanistan as the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan since taking control by force in 2021, overthrowing the internationally recognized Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. The takeover was widely criticized by the international co ...


References

{{Asia topic, Government of, title=Governments of Asia, TW=Government of the Republic of China Taliban
Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan Afghanistan, officially the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan,; prs, امارت اسلامی افغانستان is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central Asia and South Asia. Referred to as the Heart of Asia, it is bordere ...