Constitution of Afghanistan (2004)

The charter of the Islamic Republic adopted by a Loya Jirga in 2004 and set aside after the Taliban takeover of 2021.

Overview

Adopted by a Constitutional Loya Jirga in Kabul in January 2004 after the fall of the Taliban government, the constitution established the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan with a strong directly elected presidency and a bicameral National Assembly. It declared that no law could contravene the beliefs and provisions of Islam while also guaranteeing equal rights for men and women and reserving a substantial share of seats in the lower house for women. Hamid Karzai and Ashraf Ghani were elected under it, though fraud allegations marred several elections. When the Taliban seized Kabul in August 2021, the constitution ceased to operate, and the new authorities have governed without a replacement charter.