Government

Under the constitution of 2004, the country is headed by a president, who is both head of state and of government. The president is directly elected, and may serve two five-year terms. The former king, Muhammad Zahir Shah, is acknowledged as the “father of the country,” but he lacks any authority and the honor accorded him is not hereditary. The president is assisted by a cabinet, the members of which must be approved by the National Assembly. Wolesi Jirga [house of people] of the Assembly consists of not more than 249 members, directly elected to five-year terms. The upper house, the Meshrano Jirga [house of elders], consists of 102 members, a third elected by provincial councils to four-year terms, a third elected by district councils to three-year terms, and the rest (half of whom must be women) appointed by the president to five-year terms. No law passed by the Assembly may be contrary to Islam. Administratively, the country is divided into 34 provinces.

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2007, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

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