Afghanistan

Facts & Figures

Map of Afghanistan
President: Hamid Karzai (2002)

Total area: 250,000 sq mi (647,500 sq km)

Population (2010est.): 29,121,286 (growth rate:

2.4%); birth rate: 38.11/1000; infant mortality rate:
151.5/1000; life expectancy: 44.6; density per sq
mi: 128

Capital and largest city (2003 est.): Kabul,

2,206,300

Other large cities: Kandahar, 349,300; Mazar-i-

Sharif, 246,900; Charikar, 202,600; Herat, 171,500

Monetary unit: Afghani

More Facts & Figures

 Geography

Afghanistan, approximately the size of Texas, is bordered on the north by Turkmenistan,

Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan, on the extreme northeast by China, on the east and south by Pakistan,
and by Iran on the west. The country is split east to west by the Hindu Kush mountain range,
rising in the east to heights of 24,000 ft (7,315 m). With the exception of the southwest, most of
the country is covered by high snow-capped mountains and is traversed by deep valleys.

Government

In June 2002 a multiparty republic replaced an interim government that had been established in
Dec. 2001, following the fall of the Islamic Taliban government.

History

Darius I and Alexander the Great were the first to use Afghanistan as the gateway to India.
Islamic conquerors arrived in the 7th century, and Genghis Khan and Tamerlane followed in the
13th and 14th centuries.

In the 19th century, Afghanistan became a battleground in the rivalry between imperial Britain
and czarist Russia for control of Central Asia. Three Anglo-Afghan wars (1839–1842, 1878–
1880, and 1919) ended inconclusively. In 1893 Britain established an unofficial border, the
Durand Line, separating Afghanistan from British India, and London granted full independence
in 1919. Emir Amanullah founded an Afghan monarchy in 1926.
Afghanistan- Language, Culture, Customs and Etiquette

Facts and Statistics

Location: Southern Asia, north and west of Pakistan, east

of Iran

Capital: Kabul

Climate: Arid to semiarid; cold winters and hot summers

Population: 29,928,987 (July 2005 est.)

Ethnic Make-up: Pashtun 42%, Tajik 27%, Hazara 9%, Uzbek 9%, Aimak 4%, Turkmen 3%,
Baloch 2%, other 4%

Religions: Sunni Muslim 80%, Shi'a Muslim 19%, other 1%

Language in Afghanistan

Pashtu and Dari (Afghan Persian/Farsi) are the official languages of Afghanistan. Pashtu (also
written Pushtu) was declared the National Language of the country during the beginning of Zahir
Shah's reign, however, Dari has always been used for business and government transactions.
Both belong to the Indo-European group of languages.

According to estimates, approximately 35% of the Afghan population speaks Pashtu, and about
50% speaks Dari. Turkic languages (Uzbek and Turkmen) are spoken by about 11% of the
population. There are also numerous other languages spoken in the country (Baluchi, Pashai,
Nuristani, etc.), and bilingualism is very common.

Afghan Culture & Society

Islam

o Islam is practised by the majority of Afghanis and governs much of their

personal, political, economic and legal lives.
o Among certain obligations for Muslims are to pray five times a day - at dawn,
noon, afternoon, sunset, and evening.
o Friday is the Muslim holy day. Most shops and offices will be closed.
Government offices and businesses may also close on Thursday, making the
weekend Thursday and Friday.
o During the holy month of Ramadan all Muslims must fast from dawn to dusk and
are only permitted to work six hours per day. Fasting includes no eating, drinking,
cigarette smoking, or gum chewing.
o Foreigners are not required to fast; however, they must not eat, drink, smoke, or
chew gum in public.

The
Ethnic
Make-
up and
Tribes

o Afgha
nistan is
a vast
country
and as a
result
has a
rich mix
of

ethnicities and tribes.

o The Pashtun are Sunni Muslims who Pashtu. They constitute around 42% of the
population and are concentrated in Nangrahar and Pakhtya provinces. A large
population also live in neighbouring Pakistan.
o Tajiks comprise roughly 27% of the population. They are Iranian in origin and
speak a form of Persian found in Eastern Iran. Most are Sunni Muslim. Most reside
in Kabul and Herat provinces,although some reside in the mountains north of
Hindu Kush, and the Iranian border. o Hazaris make up about 9% of the
population. They are descendants of the Mongols, and speak a dialect of Persian
that contains many Turkish words. They are also Shiite Muslims which led to
much of their persecution under Taliban rule. Most live in the Hazarajat region.
o Uzbeks live in the northern parts of the country and also comprise only 9% of the
population. They are Sunni Muslims and speak a dialect of Turkish.
o The Turkomen are a small minority with making only 3% of the population.
o Baluchis are pastoral nomads who speak Baluchi, an Iranian language. They
comprise 2% of the population.

The Family

o The family is the single most important unit in the Afghan culture.
o Men and women's roles are much more defined along traditional lines.
o Women are generally responsible for household duties, where as men will be the
bread winners. In the cities professional women do exist.
o Families commonly arrange marriages for their children. Factors such as tribe,
status, network, and wealth are the major factors forming any choice.
o Families traditionally live together in the same walled compound, known as the
kala. When a son gets married he and his wife begin their married lives in a room
under the same roof.
o As with much of the Muslim world, the family is sacred and as such, is highly
protected. As a result, probing about the family is not advised.

The Concepts of Honour and Shame

o Honour in Afghan culture defines the reputation and worth of an individual, as

well as those they are associated with.
o The head male of a family is responsible for protecting the honour of the family.
o The issue of honour drives much of the behaviour surrounding the protection of
women, modes of dress, social interaction, education and economic activity.
o If someone's honour has been compromised, they are shamed and will look for a
way to exact revenge for themselves, their family or group.
o The role of honour and tribalism has fuelled much of the disharmony in the
country's recent history - with one group carrying out violent acts against another,
the victims are forced to respond causing a circle of violence.

The Role of Hospitality

o Hospitality is an essential aspect of Afghan culture.
o No matter who you are, if you visit a home you will be given the best the family
has.
o This relates back to the idea of gaining honour.
o If you are invited for tea, which you inevitably will be,  you will be offered
snacks and your tea glass will be constantly filled. When you have had enough
cover the glass with your hand and say "bus" (meaning 'enough')

Social Etiquette, Customs and Protocol

Meeting and Greeting

o When meeting someone the handshake is the most common form on greeting.
You will also see people place their hands over their hearts and nod slightly. 
o One should always enquire about things like a person's health, business, family,
etc.
o Women and men will never shake hands let alone speak directly to one another.
o Eye contact should also be avoided between men and women. Between men eye
contact is acceptable as long as it is not prolonged - it is best to only occasionally
look someone in the eyes.
Mixing Between Genders

o Free mixing between genders only

takes places within families.
o In professional situations such as at
businesses or universities, males and
females may be co-workers, but are
nevertheless cautious to maintain each
other's honour.
o Foreign females must learn to read
the rules and live by them.
o If a man speaks to you directly in a
social context, he is dishonouring you.
If someone speaks to you on the street,
that is equally inappropriate. You
should avoid looking men in the eyes,
and keep your eyes lowered when you
walk down the street to maintain your reputation as a proper woman.
o Women must always dress properly to avoid unwanted attention. Always wear
loose fitting pants under your skirts and be sure the definition of your legs is
undistinguishable. It is also strongly advisable to wear a headscarf in public.
o On the other hand foreign men should note that it is inappropriate to initiate
social conversation with a woman, and one should not ask a male about his wife or
female relatives.
o Men and women should never be alone in the same room. If this happens you
should ensure a door is left open.
o Men and women should never touch one another under any circumstances.

Gift Giving Etiquette

o First rule of gift giving is to never give alcohol. However, if you know from first
hand experience that the receiver drinks you may do so but covertly to avoid
shame.
o The first time you go to someone's house for tea, it is appropriate to bring a small
gift.
o If you are invited to lunch or dinner, bring fruit, sweets or pastries. Make sure the
box is wrapped nicely.
o When bringing a gift be subtle in how it is given. Do not immediately give the
present but rather discreetly place it near the door or where you sit down.
o When it comes to wrapping gifts there is no special protocol. Green is good for
weddings.

Dining Etiquette

o Dining in Afghanistan is a different experience and there are many

differences in etiquette.
o Always remove your shoes at the door if visiting a home.
o If eating at someone's home, you will be seated on o the floor, usually
on cushions.
o Food is served on plastic or vinyl tablecloths spread on the floor.
o Wait to be shown where to sit.
o If you can, sit cross-legged. Otherwise sit as comfortably as you can.
Do not site with legs outstretched and your feet facing people. 
o Food is generally served communally and everyone will share from the
same dish.
o Do not eat with the left hand.
o Always pass and receive things using your right hand too.
o Food is eaten with the hands. It will be a case of watch and learn. Food
is usually scooped up into a ball at the tip of the fingers, then eaten.
o Leave food on your plate otherwise it will keep getting filled up again.
Business Etiquette, Customs and Protocol

Business Cards

o Business cards are not widely used in Afghanistan. They therefore carry a sense
of importance and prestige.
o  If you are given a business card, take it respectfully and study it so that they see
that you are spending time considering their credentials. Comment on it and any
qualifications the giver may have.
o Try not to keep cards in your pocket - slip it into a holder and somewhere else
respectful.
o There is no real protocol used for exchanging cards except to use your right
hand.
o It may be a good idea to have your card translated into Dari or Pashtu. Make sure
you don't "translate" the address.

What to Wear?
o Men should wear conservative suits and shoes.
o If working in the country in a non-commercial capacity then wearing the
traditional Afghan dress (long shirt and trousers) is best.
o Women must always dress modestly and conservatively. The general rule is to
show as little flesh from the neck downwards.
o If working in business, women should wear knee-length, loose fitting business
skirts with loose fitting professional trousers underneath. Wearing headscarf is
advisable.
Business Meetings

o Business is very much personal in Afghanistan. If you have not already invested
some quality time in getting to know your counterparts, then you must use initial
meetings to establish trust.
o Once this has been accomplished you can move on to the nitty-gritty of business.
o Do not be surprised or offended if during meetings people walk in and out of a
room or phone calls are taken.
o If the meeting involves a group of people it will be led by the leader who will set
the agenda, the content, and the pace of the activities.
o Meetings are usually held to communicate information and decisions that have
already been rather than a forum for discussion and brain storming.
o Meeting schedules are not very structured. Start times, points of discussion, etc
are all fluid and flexible. Be prepared for a lot of tangents in the discussions.
o Afghani communication style is rather indirect. It is therefore sometimes
necessary to read between the lines for an answer rather than expect it to be
explicitly stated. For example, if someone is asked if they can complete a job on
time, you will rarely get "no" as the answer. It is therefore also important to phrase
questions intelligently.
o Honour and shame should always be considered. Always express yourself in a
way that is not direct or pins blame on someone. Never make accusations or speak
down to anyone. 

Negotiating

o Negotiating can be a tricky, frustrating but often an enjoyable affair if

approached correctly.
o Always make sure you negotiate with the most senior person possible as they are
the decision makers. If you negotiate with someone more junior they may be there
to simply test the waters.
o As a rule Afghans generally negotiate with a win-lose mentality. The goal is
always to get the best for yourself at all costs.
o This means that there is always a stronger/weaker party. This can however be
used to your advantage if you play your cards right. Always start wildly high in
negotiations and very slowly work your way down, always explaining why you are
dropping in price but at the same time explaining the damage it is doing to you.
o Always appeal to their sense of fairness and justice and use the fact you are
looking to build a strong relationship.
o If monetary matters do not work then try pushing the idea that a deal with you
will bring prestige, honour and respect.

Afghanistan is divided into 34 provinces and every province is further divided into
a number of districts
1. Badakhshan 18. Konar
2. Badghis 19. Kunduz
 20. Laghman
21. Logar
3. Baghlan
22. Nangarhar
4. Balkh
23. Nimruz
5. Bamyan
24. Nurestan
6. Daykundi
25. Oruzgan
7. Farah
26. Paktia
8. Faryab
27. Paktika
9. Ghazni
28. Panjshir
10. Ghor
29. Parvan
11. Helmand
30. Samangan
12. Herat
31. Sare Pol
13. Jowzjan
32. Takhar
14. Kabul
33. Wardak
15. Kandahar
34. Zabol
16. Kapisa
17. Khost

Foreign relations and military

The Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs is responsible for managing the foreign
relations of Afghanistan. The nation has maintained good relations with the United
States and other members of NATO since at least the 1920s. Afghanistan joined
the United Nations on November 19, 1946, and has been a member since. In 2002,
the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan was established to help
rebuild the country. Today, more than 22 NATO nations deploy over 100,000
troops in Afghanistan as a part of the International Security Assistance Force
(ISAF). Apart from close military links, Afghanistan also enjoys strong economic
relations with NATO members and other allies. The United States is the largest
donor to Afghanistan, followed by Japan, United Kingdom, Germany, India and
others.
[155]
The U.S. Embassy in Kabul. Afghanistan-United States relations go back to at least
the early 1920s.

Relations between Afghanistan and neighboring Pakistan often fluctuate and

tensions between the two countries have existed since 1947.[156][157][158] During the
Taliban 1996 to 2001 rule, Pakistan was supporting the Taliban leaders[159] against
the Iranian-backed Northern Alliance.[160] Though Pakistan maintains strong
security and economic links with Afghanistan, dispute between the two countries
remain due to Pakistani concerns over growing influence of rival India in
Afghanistan and the continuing border dispute over the poorly marked Durand
Line.[161] Relations between the two strained further after the 2007 border
skirmishes when Afghan officials alleged that Pakistani intelligence agencies were
involved in some terrorist attacks on Afghanistan.[162] Pakistan is a participant in
the reconstruction of Afghanistan, pledging $250 million in various projects across
the country.[163]

Afghanistan has close historical, linguistic and cultural ties with neighboring Iran
as both countries were part of Greater Persia before 1747.[164] Afghanistan-Iran
relations formally initiated after 1935 between Zahir Shah and Reza Shah[citation
needed]
, which soured after the rise of radical Sunni Taliban regime in 1997 but
rebounded after the establishment of Karzai government.[165] Iran has also actively
participated in the Afghan reconstruction efforts[166] but is accused at the same time
by American and British politicians of secretly funding the Taliban against NATO-
Afghan officials.[167] Afghanistan also enjoys good relations with neighboring
Central Asian nations, especially Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan.

Relations between Afghanistan and India also go a long away back. India is often
regarded as one of Afghanistan's most influential allies.[132] India is the largest
regional donor to Afghanistan and has extensively participated in several Afghan
reconstruction efforts, including power, agricultural and educational projects.[168]
[169]
Since 2002, India has extended more than $1.2 billion in military and other aid
to Afghanistan.[170] There are military ties between the two nations, some Afghan
security forces are getting counter-insurgency training in India.[dubious – discuss][171] India
is also considering the deployment of some troops in Afghanistan.[172]

The military of Afghanistan is under the Ministry of Defense, which includes the
Afghan National Army and the Afghan National Army Air Force. It currently has
about 134,000 members and is expected to reach 260,000 in the coming years.
They are trained and equipped by NATO countries, mainly by the United States
armed forces. The ANA is divided into 7 major Corps, with the 201st Selab
("Flood") in Kabul being the main one. The ANA also has a special commando
brigade which was started in 2007. The National Military Academy of Afghanistan
serves as the main education institute for the militarymen of the country. A new
$200 million Afghan Defense University (ADU) is under construction near the
capital.

Economy
Afghanistan is an impoverished and least developed country, one of the world's
poorest. In 2010, the nation's GDP exchange rate stood at $16.63 billion and the
GDP per capita was $1,000.[173] Its unemployment rate is 35%[174] and roughly 36%
of its citizens live below the poverty line.[175] About 42 percent of the population
live on less than $1 a day, according to USAID.[176] However, due to the infusion of
multi-billion dollars in international assistance and investments, as well as
remittances from expats, the economy has steadily improved, growing at
approximately 12 percent per year during the past six years.[177] It is also due to
improvements in agricultural production, which is the backbone of the nation's
economy since over 75% of its citizens are involved in this field.[178]
Workers processing pomegranates (anaar), which Afghanistan is famous for in
Asia.

One of the main drivers for the current economic recovery is the return of over 5
million Afghan expatriates, who brought with them fresh energy, entrepreneurship
and wealth-creating skills as well as much needed funds to start up businesses. The
Afghan rugs have become a popular product again and this gives the large number
of rug weavers in the country a chance to earn more income. While the country's
current account deficit is largely financed with the donor money, only a small
portion is provided directly to the government budget. The rest is provided to non-
budgetary expenditure and donor-designated projects through the United Nations
system and non-governmental organizations.

The Afghan Ministry of Finance is focusing on improved revenue collection and

public sector expenditure discipline. Since 2003, over 16 new banks have opened
in the country, including Afghanistan International Bank, Kabul Bank, Azizi Bank,
Pashtany Bank, Standard Chartered Bank, First Micro Finance Bank, and others.
Da Afghanistan Bank serves as the central bank of the nation and the "Afghani"
(AFN) is the national currency, with an exchange rate of 50 Afghanis to 1 US
dollar.

Afghanistan is a member of the SAARC, ECO and the OIC. It is known for
producing some of the finest pomegranates, grapes, apricots, melons, and several
other fresh and dry fruits, including nuts.[179] According to the World Bank,
"economic growth has been strong and has generated better livelihoods" since late
2001.[180] Opium production in Afghanistan has soared to a record in 2007 with
about 3 million Afghans reported to be involved in the business[181] but then
declined significantly in the years following.[182] The government started programs
to help reduce cultivation of poppy, and by 2010 it was reported that 24 out of the
34 provinces were free from poppy grow.

Energy and mining

According to recent U.S. Geological surveys that were funded by the Afghan
Ministry of Mines and Industry, Afghanistan may be possessing up to 36 trillion
cubic feet (1,000 km3) of natural gas, 3.6 billion barrels (570,000,000 m3) of
petroleum and up to 1,325 million barrels (210,700,000 m3) of natural gas liquids.
[183]
Other recent reports show that the country has huge amounts of gold, copper,
coal, iron ore and other minerals.[41][42][43][44] In 2010, Pentagon officials along with
geologists from the United States announced the discovery of $1–3 trillion worth
untapped mineral deposits in Afghanistan.[45] Afghan officials assert that "this will
become the backbone of the Afghan economy" and a memo from the Pentagon
stated that Afghanistan could become the "Saudi Arabia of lithium".[184][185][186][187]
The government is preparing deals to extract its copper and iron reserves, which
could earn billions of dollars in royalties and taxes every year for the next 100
years. Analysts believe that if the Afghan state was to generate even $10 billion per
year from its mineral deposits, its gross national product would double and provide
long-term funding for Afghan security forces and other critical needs.[188]

Transport and communications

Ariana Afghan Airlines

Ariana Afghan Airlines is the national carrier, with domestic flights between
Kabul, Kandahar, Herat and Mazar-i-Sharif. International flights include to Dubai,
Frankfurt, Istanbul and a number of other Asian destinations.[189] There are also
limited domestic and international flight services available from the locally owned
Kam Air, Pamir Airways and Safi Airways.

The country has limited rail service with Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan in the
north. There are two other railway projects currently in progress with neighboring
nations, one is between Herat and Iran while another is to connect with Pakistan
Railways. Citizens who travel far distances use bus services. Newer automobiles
have recently become more widely available after the rebuilding of roads and
highways. Vehicles are imported from the United Arab Emirates through Pakistan
and Iran. Postal and package delivery services such as FedEx, DHL and others are
found in major cities and towns.

Telecommunication services in the country are provided by Afghan Wireless,

Etisalat, Roshan, MTN Group and Afghan Telecom. In 2006, the Afghan Ministry
of Communications signed a $64.5 million agreement with ZTE for the
establishment of a countrywide optical fiber cable network. As of 2009, the
country has 129,300 fixed telephone lines,[190] about 12 million mobile phone
subscribers[191] and 1 million internet users.[192]

Media
The Afghan media began in the early 20th century, with the first newspaper being
published in 1906. By the 1920s, Radio Kabul was broadcasting local radio
services. Afghanistan National Television was launched in 1974 but was closed in
1996 when the media was tightly controlled by the Taliban.[193] Since 2002, press
restrictions were gradually relaxed and private media diversified. Freedom of
expression and the press is promoted in the 2004 constitution and censorship is
banned, though defaming individuals or producing material contrary to the
principles of Islam is prohibited. In 2008, Reporters Without Borders listed the
media environment as 156 out of 173, with 1st being most free. 400 publications
are now registered, at least 15 local Afghan television channels and 60 radio
stations.[194] Foreign radio stations, such as Voice of America and BBC World
Service, also broadcast into the country.
Demographics
As of July 2010, the population of Afghanistan is around 28,395,716,[5] but it is
unknown if the 3 million Afghan refugees living in Pakistan and Iran are included
or not. A 2009 UN estimate shows that the Afghan population was 28,150,000[195]
and a 2009–2010 nationwide statistical survey conducted by the Central Statistics
Office (CSO) of Afghanistan has put it at 26 million but not counting some parts of
the country due to insecurity.[196]

A partial census conducted in 1979 showed roughly 15.5 million people living in
the country.[6] The Statistical Yearbook published in 1983 by the Babrak Karmal
government claimed a total population of 15.96 million for 1981-82.[197] Between
600,000 to 2 million Afghans were killed during the various 1979-2001 wars,
majority of them during the Soviet war in the 1980s.[93] At least 5 million more fled
the country to neighboring Pakistan and Iran. According to the Population
Reference Bureau, the Afghan population is estimated to increase to 82 million by
2050.[198]

The only city in Afghanistan with over two million residents is its capital, Kabul.
The other major cities in the country are, in order of population size, Kandahar,
Herat, Mazar-e Sharif, Jalalabad, Ghazni, Kunduz, Farah. Urban areas are
experiencing rapid population growth following the return of over 5 million
Afghan expats from Pakistan and Iran.

Ethnic groups

Ethnolinguistic groups of Afghanistan

Afghanistan is a multiethnic society. The population of the country is divided into
a wide variety of ethnolinguistic groups. Because a systematic census has not been
held in the nation in decades, exact figures about the size and composition of the
various ethnic groups are unvailable.[199] In this regard, the Encyclopædia
Britannica states:

No national census has been conducted in Afghanistan since a partial count in

1979, and years of war and population dislocation have made an accurate ethnic
count impossible. Current population estimates are therefore rough
approximations, which show that Pashtuns comprise somewhat less than two-fifths
of the population. The two largest Pashtun tribal groups are the Durrani and
Ghilzay. Tajiks are likely to account for some one-fourth of Afghans and Hazara
nearly one-fifth. Uzbeks and Chahar Aimaks each account for slightly more than 5
percent of the population and Turkmen an even smaller portion.[200]

An approximate distribution of the nation's total ethnic groups is shown in the line
chart below:

Ethnic groups in Afghanistan

World Factbook /
World Factbook /
Library of
Library of
Ethnic group Congress Country Congress Country
Studies estimate
Studies estimate
(1992-2003)[202][203]
(2004-2010)[60][201] [204][205]

Pashtun 42% 38-44 percent

25-26.3% (of this
Tajik 27%
1% are Qizilbash)
Hazara 9% 10-19 percent
Uzbek 9% 6-8% percent
Aimak 4% 500,000 to 800,000
Turkmen 3% 2.5 percent
Baloch 2% 100,000
Others (Pashai, 4% 6.9 percent
Nuristani,
Arab, Brahui,
Pamiri, Gujjar,
etc.)

The percentage numbers in the chart at the bottom are from recent national opinion
polls aimed at knowing how Afghan citizens feel about the 2001–present US-led
war, the current political situation, as well as the economic and social issues
affecting their daily lives. One was conducted in 2010 by the Asia Foundation
(with technical assistance by the Afghan Center for Socio-economic and Opinion
Research) and the other between 2004 to 2009 by a combined effort of the
broadcasting companies ABC News, BBC, and ARD.[206][207]

The 2010 Asia Foundation survey involved 6,467 randomly selected Afghan
citizens from across all of Afghanistan's 34 provinces. The margin of sampling
error in that survey is 4.4 percent at 95 percent confidence interval.[206]

To questions about their ethnicity at the end of the questionnaires, the results of the
total 8,001 Afghan citizens (6,467 respondents from The Asia Foundation survey;
1,534 respondents from the ABC, BBC, and ARD survey) came as:

"A "A
survey survey
"Afghanistan:
of the of the
Ethnic Where Things
Afghan Afghan
group Stand" (2004-
people" people"
2009) [207]
(2006) (2010)
[208] [209]

Pashtun 38-46% 41% 42%

Tajik 37-39% 37% 31%
Hazara 6-13% 9% 10%
Uzbek 5-7% 9% 9%
Aimak 0-0% 0% 2%
Turkmen 1-2% 2% 2%
Baloch 1-3% 1% 1%
Others 0-4% 1% 3%
(Nuristani,
Arab, etc.)
0%

No opinion 0-2%

Languages

Most Afghans are bilingual.

The two official languages of Afghanistan are Pashto (since 1936) and Dari
Persian (since 1964). Both are Indo-European languages from the Iranian
languages sub-family.[1] Persian has always been the prestige language and as the
main means of inter-ethnic communication it has maintained its status of lingua
franca. Persian is the native tongue of various Afghan ethnic groups including the
Tajiks, Afghanistan's second largest ethnic group, the Hazara, Aimak and
Kizilbash.[210] Pashto is the native tongue of the Pashtuns, the single largest ethno-
linguistic group within Afghanistan. Other languages, such as Uzbek, Arabic,
Turkmen, Balochi, Pashayi and Nuristani languages (Ashkunu, Kamkata-viri,
Vasi-vari, Tregami and Kalasha-ala), are used as native tongue by minority groups
across the country and have official status in the regions where they are widely
spoken. Minor languages also include Pamiri (Shughni, Munji, Ishkashimi and
Wakhi), Brahui, Hindko, Kyrgyz, etc. A fair number of Afghans can also speak
and understand Urdu, Punjabi, Hindi and English.[1]

Language CIA World Factbook (2010)/Library of Congress (2008)

Dari Persian 50 %
Pashto 35 %
Uzbek and Turkmen 11 %
30 minority languages 4 %
Religions

Main article: Religion in Afghanistan

Over 99% of the Afghan population is Muslim: approximately 80-85% follow the
Sunni sect, 15-19% are Shi'a, and 1% other.[60][211][212][213] Until the 1890s, the region
around Nuristan was known as Kafiristan (land of the kafirs) because of its
inhabitants: the Nuristanis, an ethnically distinctive people who practiced animism,
polytheism and shamanism.[214] Other than Muslims, there are tiny communities of
Hindus and Sikhs found in the four major cities of the country. They number in the
thousands.[215][216] There was also a small Jewish community in Afghanistan who
emigrated to Israel and the United States by the end of the last century, and only
one individual by the name of Zablon Simintov remains today.[217]

Culture
Men wearing their traditional Afghan dress in Kandahar.

The Afghan culture has been around for over two millenniums, tracing record to at
least the time of the Achaemenid Empire in 500 BCE.[9][218] It is mostly a nomadic
and tribal society, with different regions of the country having their own tradition,
reflecting the multi-cultural and multi-lingual character of the nation. In the
southern and eastern region, as well as western Pakistan which was historically
part of Afghanistan, the people live according to the Pashtun culture by following
Pashtunwali, which is an ancient lifestyle that is still preserved.[219] The remaining
of the country is culturally Persian and Turkic. Some non-Pashtuns who live in
close proximity with Pashtuns have adopted Pashtunwali[220] in a process called
Pashtunization (or Afghanization) while some Pashtuns have been Persianized.

Afghans display pride in their culture, nation, ancestry, and above all, their religion
and independence. Like other highlanders, they are regarded with mingled
apprehension and condescension, for their high regard for personal honor, for their
tribe loyalty and for their readiness to carry and use arms to settle disputes.[221] As
tribal warfare and internecine feuding has been one of their chief occupations since
time immemorial, this individualistic trait has made it difficult for foreigners to
conquer them. Tony Heathcote considers the tribal system to be the best way of
organizing large groups of people in a country that is geographically difficult, and
in a society that, from a materialistic point of view, has an uncomplicated lifestyle.
[221]
There are an estimated 60 major Pashtun tribes,[222] and the Afghan nomads are
estimated at about 2-3 million.[223]
Young girls from various ethnicities in traditional Afghan clothes singing during
the 2002 International Women's Day in Kabul.

The nation has a complex history that has survived either in its current cultures or
in the form of various languages and monuments. However, many of its historic
monuments have been damaged in recent wars.[224] The two famous Buddhas of
Bamiyan were destroyed by the Taliban, who regarded them as idolatrous. Other
famous sites include the cities of Kandahar, Herat, Ghazni and Balkh. The Minaret
of Jam, in the Hari River valley, is a UNESCO World Heritage site. A cloak
reputedly worn by Islam's Prophet Muhammad is stored inside the famous Mosque
of the Cloak of the Prophet Mohammed in Kandahar City.

Although literacy level is low, classic Persian and Pashto poetry play an important
role in the Afghan culture. Poetry has always been one of the major educational
pillars in the region, to the level that it has integrated itself into culture. Some
notable poets include Rumi, Rabi'a Balkhi, Sanai, Jami, Khushal Khan Khattak,
Rahman Baba, Khalilullah Khalili, and Parwin Pazhwak.[225]

Before the Soviet war in the 1980s, the city of Kabul was home to many musicians
who were masters of both traditional and modern Afghan music, especially during
the Nowruz (New Year) and National Independence Day celebrations. Most
Afghans are accustomed to watching Bollywood films and listening to its filmi hit
songs.
Majority of the Afghans enjoy football (soccer) while cricket is the second popular
sport in Afghanistan. Buzkashi is a traditional sport, mainly among the northern
Afghans. It is similar to polo and played by horsemen in two teams, each trying to
grab and hold a goat carcass. Afghan hounds (a type of running dog) also
originated in Afghanistan.

Health and education

Inside a regional medical hospital in the Paktia Province

According to the Human Development Index, Afghanistan is the second least

developed country in the world.[226] Every half hour, an average of one woman dies
from pregnancy-related complications, another dies of tuberculosis and 14 children
die, largely from preventable causes. Before the start of the wars in 1978, the
nation had an improving health system and a semi-modernized health care system
in cities like Kabul. Ibn Sina Hospital and Ali Abad Hospital in Kabul were two of
the leading health care institutions in Central Asia at the time.[227] Following the
Soviet invasion and the civil war that followed, the health care system was limited
only to urban areas and was eventually destroyed. The Taliban government made
some improvements in the late 1990s, but health care was not available for women
during their six year rule.[227] Afghanistan has one of the highest incidences of
people with disabilities in the world.[228] There are an estimated one million
disabled or handicapped people in the country.[229] An estimated 80,000 citizens of
the country have lost limbs, mainly as a result of landmines.[230][231]
The nation's health care system began to improve dramatically since 2002, which is
due to international support on the vaccination of children, training of medical
staff. According to USAID, infant mortality rate has dropped by 33 percent and
approximately 64 percent of the total population now has access to some form of
health care. Most Afghans live within one hour travel to a health facility.[232] Many
hospitals and clincs have been built in the country over the last decade, with the
most advanced treatments being available in Kabul. The French Medical Institute
for Children and Indira Gandhi Childrens Hospital in Kabul are the leading
children's hospitals in Afghanistan. The Jinnah Hospital in Kabul is also under
construction at the moment, which is funded by the Government of Pakistan.[233]
There are also a number of well-equipped regional hospitals across the country that
were built by the United States Army Corps of Engineers and are run by the
Afghan National Army.

Non-governmental charities such as Mahboba's promise assist orphans in

association with governmental structures.[234] According to Reuters, "Afghanistan's
healthcare system is widely believed to be one of the country's success stories since
reconstruction began."[227] However, in November 2009, UNICEF reported that
Afghanistan is the most dangerous place in the world for a child to be born.[235] The
nation has the highest infant mortality rate in the world – 257 deaths per 1,000 live
births – and 70 percent of the population lacks access to clean water.[236][237] The
Afghan Ministry of Public Health has ambitious plans to cut the infant mortality
rate to 400 from 1,600 for every 100,000 live births by 2020.[227] Demographic and
Health Surveys is working with the Indian Institute of Health Management
Research to conduct a survey in Afghanistan focusing on Maternal Mortality,
among other things.[238]
Kabul Medical University

One of the oldest schools in the country is the Habibia High School in Kabul. It
was established by King Habibullah Khan in 1903 and helped educate students
from the nation's elite class. In the 1920s, the German-funded Amani High School
opened in Kabul, and about a decade later two French lycées (secondary schools)
began, the AEFE and the Lycée Esteqlal. During the same period the Kabul
University opened its doors for classes. Education was improving in the country by
the late 1950s, during the rule of King Zahir Shah. However, after the Saur
Revolution in 1978 until recent years, the education system of Afghanistan fell
apart due to the wars. It was revived in the early months of 2002 after the US
removed the Taliban and the Karzai administration came to power.

As of 2009 more than five million male and female students were enrolled in
schools throughout the country. However, there are still significant obstacles to
education in Afghanistan, stemming from lack of funding, unsafe school buildings
and cultural norms. Furthermore, there is a great lack of qualified teachers,
especially in rural areas. A lack of women teachers is another issue that concerns
some Afghan parents, especially in more conservative areas. Some parents will not
allow their daughters to be taught by men.[239]

UNICEF estimates that more than 80 percent of females and around 50 percent of
males lack access to education centers. According to the United Nations, 700
schools have been closed in the country because of poor security.[240] Literacy of
the entire population is estimated at 34%. Female literacy is 10%.[240] The Afghan
ministry of education, assisted by the United States Agency for International
Development (USAID), is in the process of expanding education in the country by
building more new schools and providing modern technologies.

Following the start of the U.S. mission in late 2001, Kabul University was
reopened to both male and female students. In 2006, the American University of
Afghanistan also opened its doors, with the aim of providing a world-class,
English-language, co-educational learning environment in Afghanistan. The
university accepts students from Afghanistan and the neighboring countries. Many
other universities were inaugurated across the country in recent years, such as
Kandahar University in the south, Herat University in the northwest, Balkh
University in the north, Nangarhar University and Khost University in the eastern
zones, and others. The National Military Academy of Afghanistan has been set up
to train and educate Afghan soldiers.

Law enforcement

Afghan National Police (ANP) honor guards

Afghanistan currently has more than 90,000 national police officers, with plans to
recruit more so that the total number can reach 160,000. The Afghan National
Police and Afghan Border Police are under the Afghan Interior Ministry, which is
today headed by Bismillah Khan Mohammadi. Although they are being trained by
NATO countries and through the Afghanistan Police Program, there are still many
problems with the force. A large percent of Afghan police officers are illiterate and
are widely accused of demanding bribes.[241]

Approximately 17 percent of them test positive for illegal drugs. In some areas of
the country, crimes have gone uninvestigated because of insufficient police or lack
of equipment. In 2009, President Karzai created two anti-corruption units within
the nation's Interior Ministry.[242] Former Interior Minister Hanif Atmar told
reporters that security officials from the U.S. (FBI), Britain (Scotland Yard) and
the European Union will train prosecutors in the unit.

Helmand, Kandahar, and Oruzgan are the most dangerous provinces in

Afghanistan due to its distance from Kabul as well as the drug trade that flourishes
there. The Afghan Border Police are responsible for protecting the nation's borders,
especially the Durand Line border, which is often used by criminals and terrorists.
Every year many Afghan police officers are killed in the line of duty.

Afghanistan: An Introduction

by Abdullah Qazi

Afghanistan, (which literally means Land of the Afghan) is a mountainous land-

locked country located in Central Asia. It has a history and culture that goes back
over 5000 years. Throughout its long, splendid, and sometimes chaotic history, this
area of the world has been known by various names. In ancient times, its
inhabitants called the land Aryana. In the medieval era, it was called Khorasan, and
in modern times, its people have decided to call it Afghanistan. The exact
population of Afghanistan is unknown, however, it is estimated to be somewhere
close to 32 million.

Afghanistan is a heterogeneous nation, in which there are four major ethnic groups:
Pashtoons, Tajiks, Hazaras, and Uzbeks. Numerous other minor ethnic groups
(Nuristanis, Baluchis, Turkmens, etc.) also call Afghanistan their home. While the
majority of Afghans (99%) belong to the Islamic faith, there are also small pockets
of Sikhs, Hindus and even some Jews. The official languages of the country are
Pashto and Dari (Afghan Persian aka Farsi). The capital of Afghanistan is Kabul,
which throughout history, was admired by many great figures, such as the great
Central Asian conqueror, Zahirudeen Babur. Unfortunately, due to many years of
war, this great city has been shattered and nearly destroyed.

Today, Afghanistan is on a road to recovery, however, after decades of war, the

economy is still in ruins, and its environment is in a state of crises. After pushing
the date back twice, Afghanistan's presidential elections were finally held on
October 9, 2004. Over 8 million Afghans voted in the elections. The Joint Electoral
Management Body of Afghanistan certified the elections on November 3rd, and
declared Hamid Karzai, the interim President, the winner with 55.4% of the votes.
Karzai's strongest challenger, Yunis Qanooni, came in second with 16.3% of the
votes.

With help from the United States and the United Nations, Afghanistan adopted its
new constitution, establishing the country as an Islamic Republic, in early January
2004. According to the constitution, the Afghan government consists of a powerful
and popularly elected President, two Vice Presidents, and a National Assembly
consisting of two Houses: the House of People (Wolesi Jirga), and the House of
Elders (Meshrano Jirga). There is also an independent Judiciary branch consisting
of the Supreme Court (Stera Mahkama), High Courts and Appeal Courts. The
President appoints the members of the Supreme Court with the approval of the
Wolesi Jirga. Assembly elections were held in late 2005.

Places to Visit in Afghanistan

123Independenceday » Afghanistan » Places to Visit

Unlike other countries, Afghanistan has not been much of a popular tourist
destination. The different places of visit in Afghanistan do not have the
usual splendor of modern life style yet they are enriched with glorious
history of the past which has in fact made it a place of importance. The
popular places of visit in Afghanistan are widely reckoned for their rich
heritage and cultural aspect. Afghanistan can be practically termed as the
country of diverse natural landscapes such as the vast desert areas to the
rough terrains along the Hindu Kush mountainous ranges.

Here's sharing with you different facts on places of visit in Afghanistan---

1. Kabul---

The teeming capital of Afghanistan, Kabul is home to some of the best

heritage sites of the world. Also being one of the oldest cities of the world
it has many worth seeing natural splendors coupled together with the
presence of ancient monumental landmarks. One of the most prominent
places of attraction in Kabul is the Baghi Balah, located at the top of the
city providing the visitors a beautiful bird's eye view of the whole city and
its wonderful surroundings. Other tourist places of attraction include--
Darulaman Palace, Kabul Museum, Shamali and not to miss the King
Nadir Shah's Tomb. It's interesting to note that the old Kabul is full of
narrow pebbled streets, dilapidated buildings and bustling crowd. Few
people would ever think that Kabul too has shopping malls which houses
international products and accessories. The illustrious historical forts
widely display the great architecture of the past era.

2. Mazar Sharif - Balkh----

One of the most important pilgrimage centers of Afghanistan Mazar Sharif

is the capital of Balkh Province. With the passage of time, the city has
become a nerve center of various economic and industrial activities
catering to a huge customer base in both the domestic and international
market. If you are a foodie and has a penchant for Afghan cuisine then the
various restaurants of the city offers you amazing and unmatched
traditional Afghan delicacies. The shrine of Hazrat Ali attracts thousands
of devout Muslims from different parts of the world especially during
Nowruz. The string of shops in this city offers you exclusive Afghan
carpets and colorful 'chapans'.

3. Herat---

The city owes its origin in the year 550-330 B.C and is situated in the
western part of Afghanistan. In the ancient times, the place was popular
for its tasty wine and was the center of various political activities during
the reign of Alexander the Great. The city has long been witness to historic
invasions coupled together with famous war conflicts that affected the city.
Herat was once one of the prominent cities of Khorasan and well known as
the Pearl of Khorasan.

4. Kandahar---

Regarded as one of the largest cities of Afghanistan, it is also an important

tourist place of visit in Afghanistan. The city was actually founded in 330
BC by Alexander the Great and was under the rule of Achaemenid Empire
for a long time. Major places of attraction include-- the mausoleum of
Ahmad Shah Durrani, Kandahar Museum and the village of Sher Surkh.

Thus, these important places of visit in Afghanistan offer you a glimpse of

the cultural aspect of the country.

123independenceday.com takes you the wonderful places of visit in

Afghanistan
 PREFERENTIAL TRADE AGREEMENT
BETWEEN
THE REPUBLIC OF INDIA
AND
THE TRANSITIONAL ISLAMIC STATE OF
AFGHANISTAN
 
PREAMBLE
The Government of the Republic of India and The Transitional Islamic State of
Afghanistan, (hereinafter referred to as the "Contracting Parties"),

CONSIDERING that the expansion of their domestic markets, through economic

integration, is a vital prerequisite for accelerating their processes of economic
development.

BEARING in mind the desire to promote mutually beneficial bilateral trade.

CONVINCED of the need to establish and promote free trade for strengthening
intra-regional economic cooperation and the development of national economies.

FURTHER RECOGNISING that progressive reductions and elimination of

obstacles to bilateral trade through a bilateral preferential trading arrangement
(hereinafter referred to as "The Agreement") would contribute to the expansion of
world trade.

HAVE agreed as follows:

Article I

Objectives
1. The Contracting Parties shall establish a Preferential Trading Arrangement in
accordance with the provisions of this Agreement.

2. The objectives of this Agreement are:

i. To promote through the expansion of trade the harmonious

development of the economic relations between India and
Afghanistan.
ii. To provide fair conditions of competition for trade between India and
Afghanistan.
iii. In the implementation of this Agreement the Contracting Parties shall
pay due regard to the principle of reciprocity.
iv. To contribute in this way, by the removal of barriers to trade, to the
harmonious development and expansion of world trade.

Article II

Definitions

For the purpose of this agreement:

1. "Tariffs" means basic customs duties included in the national

schedules of the Contracting Parties;
2. "Products" means all products including manufactures and
commodities in their raw, semi-processed and processed forms.
3. "Preferential Treatment" means any concession or privilege
granted under this Agreement by a Contracting Party through the
progressive reduction and/or elimination of tariffs on the movement of
goods.
4. "The Committee" means the Joint committee referred to in Article
XI.
5. "Serious injury" means significant damage to domestic producers, of
like or similar products resulting from a substantial increase of
preferential imports in situations which cause substantial losses in
terms of earnings, production or employment unsustainable in the
short term. The examination of the impact on the domestic industry
concerned shall also include an evaluation of other relevant economic
factors and indices having a bearing on the state of the domestic
industry of that product.
6. "Threat of serious injury" means a situation in which a substantial
increase of preferential imports is of a nature so as to cause "Serious
 injury" to domestic producers, and that such injury, although not yet
existing is clearly imminent. A determination of threat of serious
injury shall be based on facts and not on mere allegation, conjecture,
or remote or hypothetical possibility.
7. "Critical circumstances" means the emergence of an exceptional
situation where massive preferential imports are causing or
threatening to cause "serious injury" difficult to repair and which calls
for immediate action.

Article III

Elimination of Tariffs

The Contracting Parties hereby agree to establish a Preferential Trading

Arrangement for the purpose of free movement of goods between their countries
through reduction of tariffs on the movement of goods in accordance with the
provisions of Annexures A & B which shall form an integral part of this
Agreement.

Article IV

General Exceptions

Nothing in this Agreement shall prevent any Contracting Party from taking action
and adopting measures, which it considers necessary for the protection of its
national security, the protection of public morals, the protection of human, animal
or plant life and health, those relating to importation or exportation of gold and
silver, the conservation of exhaustible natural resources and the protection of
national treasures of artistic, historic and archaeological value.

Article V

National Treatment

Both Contracting Parties agree to accord to each others products imported into
their territory, treatment no less favourable than that accorded to like domestic
products in respect of internal taxation and in respect of all other domestic laws
and regulations affecting their sale, purchase, transportation, distribution or use.

Article VI
 State Trading Enterprises

1. Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to prevent a Contracting Party

from maintaining or establishing a state trading enterprise.

2. Each Contracting Party shall ensure that any state enterprise that it maintains or
establishes acts in a manner that is not inconsistent with the obligations of the
Contracting Parties, under this Agreement and accords non-discriminatory
treatment in the import from and export to the other Contracting Party.

Article VII

Rules of Origin

1. Products covered by the provisions of this Agreement shall be eligible for

preferential treatment provided they satisfy the Rules of Origin as set out in
Annexure C to this Agreement which shall form an integral part of this Agreement.

2. For the development of specific sectors of the industry of either Contracting

Party, lower value addition norms for the products manufactured or produced by
those sectors may be considered through mutual negotiations.

Article VIII

Safeguard Measures

1. If any product, which is the subject of preferential treatment under this

Agreement, is imported into the territory of a Contracting Party in such a manner
or in such quantities as to cause or threaten to cause, serious injury in the importing
Contracting Party, the importing Contracting Party may, with prior consultations
except in critical circumstances, suspend provisionally without discrimination the
preferential treatment accorded under the Agreement.

2. When action has been taken by either Contracting Party in terms of paragraph 1
of this Article, it shall simultaneously notify the other Contracting Party and the
Joint Committee established in terms of Article XI. The Committee shall enter into
consultations with the concerned Contracting Party and endeavor to reach mutually
acceptable agreement to remedy the situation. Should the consultations in the
Committee fail to resolve the issue within sixty days, the party affected by such
action shall have the right to withdraw the preferential treatment.
 Article IX

Domestic Legislation

1. The Contracting Parties shall be free to apply their domestic legislation to

restrict imports, in cases where prices are influenced by unfair trade practices
including subsidies or dumping.

2. The contracting parties undertake to notify at the earliest opportunity, through

the competent bodies, of the opening of investigations and preliminary and final
conclusions regarding such unfair trade practices that affect reciprocal trade.

Article X

Balance of Payment Measures

1. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Agreement, any Contracting Party facing

balance of payments difficulties may suspend provisionally the

preferential treatment as to the quantity and value of merchandise permitted to be

imported under the Agreement. When such action has taken place, the Contracting
Party, which initiates such action shall simultaneously notify the other Contracting
Party.

2. Any Contracting Party, which takes action according to paragraph 1 of this

Article, shall afford, upon request from the other Contracting Party, adequate
opportunities for consultations with a view to preserving the stability of the
preferential treatment provided under this Agreement.

Article XI

Joint Committee

1. A Joint Committee shall be established at Ministerial level. The Committee shall

meet at least once a year to review the progress made in the implementation of this
Agreement and to ensure that benefits of trade expansion emanating from this
Agreement accrue to both Contracting Parties equitably. The Committee may set
up Sub-Committees and/or Working Groups as considered necessary.

2. In order to facilitate cooperation in customs matters, the Contracting Parties

agree to establish a Working Group on Customs related issues including
harmonisation of tariff headings. The Working Group shall meet as often as
required and shall report to the Committee on its deliberations.

3. The Committee shall accord adequate opportunities for consultation on

representations made by any Contracting Party with respect to any matter affecting
the Implementation of the Agreement. The Committee shall adopt appropriate
measures for settling any matter arising from such representations within 6 months
of the representation being made. Each Contracting Party shall implement such
measures immediately.

4. The Committee shall nominate one apex chamber of trade and industry in each
country as the nodal chamber to represent the views of the trade and industry on
matters relating to this Agreement.

Article XII

Consultations

1. Each Contracting Party shall accord sympathetic consideration to and shall

afford adequate opportunity for, consultations regarding such representations as
may be made by the other Contracting Party with respect to any matter affecting
the operation of this Agreement.

2. The Committee may meet at the request of a Contracting Party to consider any
matter for which it has not been possible to find a satisfactory solution through
consultations under paragraph 1 above.

Article XIII

Settlement of Disputes

1. Any dispute that may arise between commercial entities of the Contracting
Parties shall be referred for amicable settlement to the nodal apex chambers. Such
references shall, as far as possible, be settled through mutual consultations by the
Chambers. In the event of an amicable solution not being found, the matter shall be
referred to an Arbitral Tribunal for a binding decision. The Tribunal shall be
constituted by the Joint Committee in consultation with the relevant Arbitration
Bodies in the two countries.

2. Any dispute between the Contracting Parties regarding the interpretation and
application of the provisions of this Agreement or any instrument adopted within
its framework shall be amicably settled through negotiations failing which a
notification may be made to the Committee by any one of the Contracting Parties.

Article XIV

Duration and Termination of Agreement

This Agreement shall remain in force until either Contracting Party terminates this
Agreement by giving six months written notice to the other of its intention to
terminate the Agreement.

Article XV

Amendments

1. The Agreement may be modified or amended through mutual agreement of the

Contracting Parties. Proposals for such modifications or amendments shall be
submitted to the Joint Committee and upon acceptance by the Joint Committee,
shall be approved in accordance with the applicable legal procedures of each
Contracting Party. Such modifications or amendments shall become effective when
confirmed through an exchange of diplomatic notes and shall constitute an integral
part of the Agreement.

2. Provided however that in emergency situations, proposals for modifications may

be considered by the Contracting parties and if agreed, given effect to through an
exchange of diplomatic notes.

Article XVI

(Annexures)

The list of items covered under preferential tariff by the Government of

Afghanistan is at Annexure - A and the list of items covered under preferential
tariff by the Government of India is at Annexure-B which are integral parts of this
Agreement.

Article XVII

Entry into Force

1. The Agreement shall enter into force on the thirtieth day after the Contracting
Parties hereto have notified each other that their respective constitutional
requirements and procedures have been completed.

2. In witness whereof the undersigned, duly authorised thereto by their respective

Governments, have signed this Agreement.

3. Signed at New Delhi on the 6th day of March 2003 in two originals each in
Hindi, Dari and English languages, all of them being equally authentic. In case of
any divergence in interpretation, the English Text shall prevail.

   

(ARUN JAITLEY) (SAYED MUSTAFA KAZEMI)

MINISTER OF COMMERCE MINISTER OF COMMERCE

AND INDUSTRY
TRANSITIONAL ISLAMIC STATE
GOVERNMENT OF THE  OF AFGHANISTAN
REPUBLIC OF INDIA

THE LIST OF ITEMS WHERE PREFERNTIAL TARIFF IS GRANTED BY

THE GOVERNMENT OF AFGHANISTAN

HS MFN MOP
S.NO. CODE PRODUCT DESCRIPTION DUTY % % *
Temporary
1 090230 Black Tea (fermented) Exempted 100
2 090240 Other Black Tea Temporary 100
 Exempted
Antisera & Other BLD Frctn;
3 300210 Mdfd Imunlgcl products 7 100
Other Ayurvedic, Homeopathic
4 300390 Medicine 7 100
5 300490 Other Medicine for retail sale 7 100
Temporary
6 170199 Sugar refined Exempted 100
7 252310 Cement Clinkers 25 100
8 252321 White Cement 25 100

(* Margin of Preference)

ANNEXURE - B

THE LIST OF ITEMS WHERE PREFERNTIAL TARIFF IS GRNATED BY

THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

H.S. MFN
S.No. Code Product Description Duty % M O P*
1 080620 Green Raisins 105 50%
2 080620 Green Large 105 50%
3 080620 Black Raisins 105 50%
4 080620 Red Raisins 105 50%
5 081310 Dried Apricots Nuts 30 50%
6 081310 Dried Apricots 30 50%
7 080420 Fig Dried 30 100%
8 080250 Pistachios closed Shell 30 100%
9 080250 Pistachios Open Shell 30 100%
10 080250 Pistachios Shelled (Kernall) 30 100%
11 080231 Walnuts Unshelled 30 50%
12 080232 Walnuts shelled 30 50%
13 081340 Plums Dried 30 50%
14 080212 Almond Thin Shelled Rs. 65/Kg. 50%
15 080212 Almond Hard Shelled Rs. 65/Kg. 50%
16 080212 Almond Shelled Rs. 65/Kg. 50%
17 081340 Mulberries Dried 30 100%
18 081340 Pine Nuts Toasted 30 100%
19 080620 Raisins Golden 105 50%
20 081310 Apricots Nuts, Bitter Unshelled 30 50%
21 081310 Apricots Nuts, Bitter Shelled 30 50%
22 080620 Green Raisins except Large 105 50%
23 081340 Cherries Sour Dried 30 50%
24 080610 Grapes fresh, All types 40 50%
25 080719 Melon fresh 30 100%
26 080810 Apples fresh 50 50%
27 080910 Apricots fresh 30 50%
28 081090 Pomegranates 30 50%
29 090910 Anise Seeds 30 50%
Caraway Seeds, White, Black
30 090940 Kajak 30 50%
31 120400 Linseeds 30 50%
32 120740 Sesame Seeds etc. 30 50%
Liquorice Roots plants for
33 121110 Pharmacy etc. 30 50%
34 121410 Alfalfa Seeds 30 50%
 35 130190 Asafeotida 30 100%
Lapis Lazuli, Ruby, Emerald etc.
36 710310 (Unworked) 30 100%
37 710391 Emeralds (Otherwise worked) 30 100%
Lapis Lazuli, Ruby (Otherwise
38 710399 worked) 30 100%

(* Margin of Preference)

ANNEXURE - C

RULES OF ORIGIN

1. Short title/commencement:-

These rules may be called the rules of Determination of Origin of Goods under the
PTA between Afghanistan and the Republic of India.

2. Application:-

These rules shall apply to products consigned from the territory of either of the
Contracting Parties.

3. Determination of Origin :-

No product shall be deemed to be the produce or manufacture of either country

unless the conditions specified in these rules are complied with in relation to such
products, to the satisfaction of the appropriate Authority.

4. Declaration at the time of importation:-

The importer of the product shall, at the time of importation:

a. make a declaration that the products are the produce or manufacture of the
country from which they are imported and such products are eligible for
preferential treatment under the Agreement, and
 b. produce the evidence specified in these rules.

5. Originating products:-

Products covered by the Agreement imported into the territory of a Contracting

Party from another Contracting Party which are consigned directly within the
meaning of rule 9 hereof, shall be eligible for preferential treatment if they
conform to the origin requirement under any one of the following conditions:

(a) Products wholly produced or obtained in the territory of the exporting

Contracting Party as defined in rule 6; or

(b) Products not wholly produced or obtained in the territory of the exporting
Contracting Party, provided that the said products are eligible under rule 7 or rule 8
read with rule 7.

6. Wholly produced or obtained:-

Within the meaning of rule 5(a), the following shall be considered as wholly
produced or obtained in the territory of the exporting Contracting Party:

a. raw or mineral products extracted from its soil, its water or its seabed;
b. vegetable products harvested there;
c. animals born and raised there;
d. products obtained from animals referred to in clause (c) above;
e. products obtained by hunting or fishing conducted there;
f. products of sea fishing and other marine products from the high seas
by its vessels;
g. products processed and/or made on board its factory ships exclusively
from products referred to in clause (f) above;
h. used articles collected there, fit only for the recovery of raw materials;
i. waste and scrap resulting from manufacturing operations conducted
there;
j. products extracted from the seabed or below seabed which is situated
outside its territorial waters, provided that it has exclusive exploitation
rights;
k. goods produced there exclusively from the products referred to in
clauses (a) to (j) above.

7. Not wholly produced or obtained:-

a. Within the meaning of rule 5(b), products worked on or processed as a
result of which the total value of the materials, parts or produce
originating from countries other than the Contracting Parties or of
undetermined origin used does not exceed 50% of the f.o.b. value of
the products produced or obtained and the final process of
manufacture is performed within the territory of the exporting
Contracting Party shall be eligible for preferential treatment, subject
to the provisions of clauses (b), (c), (d) and (e) of rule 7 and rule 8.
b. Non-originating materials shall be considered to be sufficiently
worked or processed when the product obtained is classified in a
heading, at the four digit level, of the Harmonised Commodity
Description and Coding System different from those in which all the
non-originating materials used in its manufacture are classified.
c. In order to determine whether a product originates in the territory of a
Contracting Party, it shall not be necessary to establish whether the
power and fuel, plant and equipment, and machines and tools used to
obtain such products originate in third countries or not.
d. The following shall in any event be considered as insufficient working
or processing to confer the status of originating products, whether or
not there is a change of heading:
1. Operations to ensure the preservation of products in good
condition during transport and storage (ventilation, spreading
out, drying, chilling, placing in salt, sulphur dioxide or other
aqueous solutions, removal of damaged parts, and like
operations).
2. Simple operations consisting of removal of dust, sifting or
screening, sorting, classifying, matching (including the making-
up of sets of articles), washing, painting, cutting up;
3. (i) changes of packing and breaking up and assembly of
consignments,

(ii) simple slicing, cutting and repacking or placing in bottles,

flasks, bags, boxes, fixing on cards or boards, etc., and all other
simple packing operations.

4. the affixing of marks, labels or other like distinguishing signs

on products or their packaging;
5. simple mixing of products, whether or not of different kinds,
where one or more components of the mixture do not meet the
 conditions laid down in these Rules to enable them to be
considered as originating products;
6. simple assembly of parts of products to constitute a complete
product;
7. a combination of two or more operations specified in (a) to (f);
8. slaughter of animals.

(e) The value of the non-originating materials, parts or produce shall be:

(i) The c.i.f. value at the time of importation of the materials, parts or produce
where this can be proven; or

(ii) The earliest ascertainable price paid for the materials, parts or produce of
undetermined origin in the territory of the Contracting Parties where the working
or processing takes place.

8. Cumulative rules of origin:-

In respect of a product, which complies with the origin requirements provided in

rule 5(b) and is exported by any Contracting Party and which has used material,
parts or products originating in the territory of the other Contracting Party, the
value addition in the territory of the exporting Contracting Party shall be not less
than 30 per cent of the f.o.b. value of the product under export subject to the
condition that the aggregate value addition in the territories of the Contracting
Parties is not less than 40 per cent of the f.o.b. value of the product under export.

9. Direct consignment:-

The following shall be considered to be directly consigned from the exporting

country to the importing country:

(a) if the products are transported without passing through the territory of any
country other than the countries of the Contracting Parties.

(b) The products whose transport involves transit through one or more intermediate
countries with or without transhipment or temporary storage in such countries;
provided that

i. the transit entry is justified for geographical reason or by

considerations related exclusively to transport requirements;
ii. the products have not entered into trade or consumption there; and
 iii. the products have not undergone any operation there other than
unloading and reloading or any operation required to keep them in
good condition.

10. Treatment of packing :-

When determining the origin of products, packing should be considered as forming

a whole with the product it contains. However, packing may be treated separately
if the national legislation so requires.

11. Certificate of origin:-

Products eligible for a Certificate of origin in the form annexed shall support
preferential treatment issued by an authority designated by the Government of the
exporting country and notified to the other country in accordance with the
certification procedures to be devised and approved by both the Contracting
Parties.

12. Prohibitions:-

Either country may prohibit importation of products containing any inputs

originating from States with which it does not have economic and commercial
relations;

13. Co-operation between contracting parties:-

a. The Contracting Parties will do their best to co-operate in order to specify

origin of inputs in the Certificate of origin.
b. The Contracting Parties will take measures necessary to address, to
investigate and, where appropriate, to take legal and/or administrative action
to prevent circumvention of this Agreement through false declaration
concerning country of origin or falsification of original documents.
c. Both the Contracting Parties will co-operate fully, consistent with their
domestic laws and procedures, in instances of circumvention or alleged
circumvention of the Agreement to address problems arising from
circumvention including facilitation of joint plant visits and contacts by
representatives of both Contracting Parties upon request and on a case – by –
case basis.
 d. If either Party believes that the rules of origin are being circumvented, it
may request consultation to address the matter or matters concerned with a
view to seeking a mutually satisfactory solution. Each party will hold such
consultations promptly.

14. Review:-

These rules may be reviewed as and when necessary upon request of either
Contracting Party and may be open to such modifications as may be agreed upon.

Notes:

1. Includes mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials as well as mineral or

metal ores
2. Includes agricultural and forestry products
3. "Vessels" shall refer to fishing vessels engaged in commercial fishing,
registered in the country of the Contracting Party and operated by a citizen
or citizens of the Contracting Party or partnership, corporation or
association, duly registered in such country, at least 60 per cent of equity of
which is owned by a citizen or citizens and/or Government of such
Contracting Party or 75 per cent by citizens and/or Governments of the
Contracting Parties. However, the products taken from vessels, engaged in
commercial fishing under Bilateral Agreements which provide for
chartering/leasing of such vessels and/or sharing of catch between
Contracting Party will also be eligible or preferential treatment.
4. In respect of vessels or factory ships operated by Government agencies, the
requirements of flying the flag of the Contracting Party does not apply.
5. For the purpose of this Agreement, the term "factory ship" means any vessel,
as defined, used for processing and/or making on board products exclusively
from those products referred to in clause (f) of Rule 6.
6. Cumulation as implied by Rule 8 means that only products which have
acquired originating status in the territory of one Contracting Party may be
taken into account when used as inputs for a finished product eligible for
preferential treatment in the territory of the other Contracting Party.

CERTIFICATE OF ORIGIN

 
1. Goods consigned from
(Exporters’ Business Name,
Address, Country)
Reference No.
INDIA - AFGHANISTAN
PREFERENTIAL TRADING
ARRANGEMENT (IAPTA)

(Combined declaration and certificate)

Issued in………………………….

(Country)

(See notes overleaf)

2. Goods consigned to 4. For Official use

(Consignee’s Name, Address,
Country)

3. Means of transport and

route (as far as known)

5. Tariff 6. Marks 7. Number and 8. 9. Gross 10.

and kind of packages: Origin weight Number
item numbers description of criterion or other and date of
of goods (see quantity invoice
number packages Notes
overleaf  
  )
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

11. Declaration by the Exporter 12. Certificate:

 The undersigned hereby declares that It is hereby certified, on the basis of
the above details and statements are control carried out that the
correct; That all the goods were declaration by the exporter is correct.
produced in
 
 
 
……………………………………
………  

(Country)  

and that they comply with the origin  

requirements specified for those
goods in IAPTA for goods exported  
to
 
……………………………………
………  

(Importing Country)  

……………………………………  
……….
 
Place and date, signature of the
……………………………………
authorised signatory
……….

Place and date, signature and stamp

of certifying authority.

To qualify for preference, products must:

o fall within a description of products eligible for concessions in the

country of destination under this agreement.

 
 o comply with IAPTA Rules of Origin. Each Article in a consignment
must qualify separately in its own right; and

o comply with the consignment conditions specified by the IAPTA

Rules of Origin. In general products must be consigned directly within
the meaning of Rule 9 hereof from the country of exportation to the
country of destination.

II. Entries to be made in Box 8

Preference products must be wholly produced or obtained in the exporting

Contracting Party in accordance with Rule 6 of the IAPTA Rule of Origin, or
where not wholly produced or obtained in the exporting Contracting Party must be
eligible under Rule 7 or Rule 8.

Products wholly produced or obtained enter the letter ‘A’ in box 8.

Products not wholly produced or obtained; the entry in box 8 should be as follows:

Enter letter ‘B’ in box 8 for products, which meet the origin criterion according to
Rule 7. Entry of letter would be followed by the sum of the value of materials,
parts or produce originating from non-contracting parties or undetermined origin
used, expressed as a percentage of the f.o.b. value of the products; (example B( )
percent).

Enter letter ‘C’ in box 8 for products, which meet the origin criteria according to
Rule 8. Entry of letter ‘C’ would be followed by the sum of the aggregate content
originating in the territory of the exporting Contracting Party expressed as a
percentage of the f.o.b. value of the exported product: (example ‘C’ ( ) per cent).