The Government of Afghanistan
Overview
- Capital: Kabul
- Administrative regions: 34 provinces
- Government & legal system: Governed de facto by the Taliban since August 2021 under the self-declared ‘Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan,’ applying its own interpretation of Islamic (Sharia) law; this government is not widely recognized internationally, and no standard official government portal is reliably maintained.
- Head of state / government: Hibatullah Akhundzada, Taliban Supreme Leader (de facto); not internationally recognized as head of state by most governments
- Official language(s): Pashto and Dari (Afghan Persian) — both official
- National Day: August 19 (Independence Day, 1919)
- Independence: August 19, 1919 (full independence in foreign affairs from British influence)
- Other official holidays: Nowruz (Mar 21, status contested under current authorities), Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs (official site)
- Regional / international memberships: United Nations/ UN (seat/representation contested); South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation/ SAARC, Organization for Islamic Cooperation/ OIC, Economic Cooperation Organization/ ECO (participation status affected by non-recognition)
- Visa / entry requirements: Visa required; entry conditions are highly volatile — verify directly with the nearest Afghan consular mission before travel.
- Currency: Afghani (AFN) — notes depict Afghan landmarks such as the Eid Gah Mosque; no individual portraiture on the current issuance.
- Flag symbolism: Under the Taliban administration: a plain white field bearing the black Shahada (Islamic declaration of faith) in Arabic script. The pre-2021 black-red-green tricolor remains in use by opposition and diaspora groups but is not the flag flown by the de facto authorities.
- Afghan Tour State-Owned Corporation (official site)
- Alemarah. The Afghanistan Official Voice (website)
