Cabinet of Afghanistan

Afghanistan

This article is part of the series:
Politics and government of
Afghanistan

Other countries · Atlas
Politics portal

The Cabinet of Afghanistan is made of the heads of all the government ministries. The president selects the members of cabinet with the approval of the National Assembly of the country.

Contents

Current cabinet of ministers

After winning a second term, President Hamid Karzai nominated 23 ministers in December 2009 to be part of his new administration but only 7 were approved by the Afghan Parliament. All the other candidates that Karzai initially selected, including Ismail Khan and three nominees associated with Abdul Rashid Dostum, were rejected by members of the parliament.[1] There was no candidate nominated for the post of Foreign Minister because it was alleged that Karzai planned to keep the disputed foreign minister Spanta until the International Afghanistan Conference in London in January 2010.[2][3][4][5][6][7]

Karzai presented a second list of candidates to the Wolesi Jirga in January 2010. Three of the new nominees were women, for the posts of Women's Affairs, Public Health, and Disabled and Martyr portfolios – the only woman on the first list of candidates was rejected. Among the new nominees was Abdul Hadi Arghandiwal, as candidate for the post of economics. Arghandiawal is the chairman of a party that is an offshoot of the Hezb-i-Islami movement, who was accused before of having contacts with warlord Gulbuddin Hekmatyar. This choice could be in line with Karzai's desire fore reconciliation with insurgents willing to lay down their arms and join the political system.[8] After the second list of candidates was offered, several parliament members expressed discontent about the quality of the nominees, and analysts predicted a new crisis.[9][10][11] On 16 January, among the approved nominees were Foreign Minister Zalmai Rassoul, Justice Minister Habibullah Ghalib, Minister for Economy Abdul Hadi Arghandiwal and Minister for Counter-Narcotics Zarar Ahmad Moqbel Osmani who got 162 vote the highist vote in cabinet, but 10 out of the 17 candidates were voted down.[12] The only woman approved was Amina Afzali as minister for Martyrs and the Disabled[13][14][15][16]

In June 2010, President Karzai submitted 7 names for a third round of confirmation in the parliament.[17] In the line chart below is the list of members of the current Afghan Cabinet (2009–2014).[18]

Portofolio Name Status
President Hamid Karzai Chosen by electorate
First Vice President Mohammed Fahim Chosen by electorate
Second Vice President Karim Khalili Chosen by electorate
Foreign Minister Zalmai Rassoul Approved by Parliament
Defense Minister Abdul Rahim Wardak Approved by Parliament
Interior Minister Bismillah Khan Mohammadi Approved by Parliament
Finance Minister Omar Zakhilwal Approved by Parliament
Economic Minister Abdul Hadi Arghandiwal Approved by Parliament
Justice Minister Habibullah Ghaleb Approved by Parliament
Information and Cultural Affairs Minister Sayed Makhdum Rahin Approved by Parliament
Education Minister Ghulam Farooq Wardak Approved by Parliament
Higher Education Minister Sarwar Danesh Acting minister, not approved by Parliament
Trade and Commerce Minister Anwar ul-Haq Ahady Approved by Parliament
Water and Energy Minister Ismail Khan Acting minister, not approved by Parliament
Transportation and Aviation Minister Mohammadulla Batash Acting minister, not approved by Parliament
Women's Affairs Minister Husn Bano Ghazanfar Acting minister, not approved by Parliament
Haj and Islamic Affairs Minister Mohammad Yousuf Neyazi Approved by Parliament
Public Welfare Minister Sohrab Ali Saffari Acting minister, not approved by Parliament
Public Health Minister Soraya Dalil Acting minister, not approved by Parliament
Agriculture Minister Mohammad Asef Rahimi Approved by Parliament
Mines Minister Waheedullah Sharani Approved by Parliament
Telecommunications Minister Amirzai Sangin Acting minister, not approved by Parliament
Rural Rehabilitation and Development Minister Jarullah Mansoori Approved by Parliament
Work, Social Affairs, Martyred and Disabled Minister Amina Afzali Approved by Parliament
Border Affairs and Tribal Affairs Minister Arsala Jamal Acting minister, not approved by Parliament
Urban Development Minister Sultan Hussain Acting minister, not approved by Parliament
Counter Narcotics Minister Zarar Ahmad Moqbel Approved by Parliament
Refugees and Repatriation Minister Abdul Rahim Acting minister, not approved by Parliament
President Hamid Karzai's nominations for his second cabinet [19] [20] [21]
First nominations were on 19 December 2009 and the second ones on 9 January 2010
Ministry Name Incumbent / New Parliamentary vote of confidence
result Yes No Abstain invalid Disappeared
1 Foreign Affairs not nominated
Zalmai Rassoul new Y
2 Defense Abdul Rahim Wardak incumbent Y 124 100 8 - -
3 Interior Mohammad Hanif Atmar incumbent Y 147 77 - rest -
4 Economy Anwar ul-Haq Ahady new N 91 103 7 3 1
Abdul Hadi Arghandiwal new Y
5 Finance Omar Zakhilwal incumbent Y 141 84 6 - -
6 Public Health Mohammad Amin Fatemi incumbent N 102 120 5 3 2
Soraya Dalil new N
7 Information and Culture Sayed Makhdum Rahin new Y 120 93 14 4 -
8 Energy and Water Ismail Khan incumbent N 111 109 5 5 -
9 Mines Waheedullah Sharani new Y 140 78 13 1 -
10 Education Ghulam Farooq Wardak incumbent Y 155 73 3 - -
11 Justice Mohammad Sarwar Danish incumbent N
Habibullah Ghaleb new Y
12 Communications and Information Technology Amirzai Sangin incumbent N 92 130 8 1 -
Abdul Qadus Hamidi new N
13 Commerce and Industries Ghulam Mohammad Aylaqi new N 76 138 13 4 1
Zahir Waheed new N
14 Agriculture Mohammad Asef Rahimi incumbent Y 136 89 3 2 2
15 Women Affairs Husn Bano Ghazanfar incumbent N 115 108 8 1 -
Palwasha Hassan new N
16 Returnees and Refugees Enayatullah Nazari new N 82 133 11 3 3
Abdul Rahim new N
17 Islamic Affairs Enayatullah Baligh new N 108 115 6 2 -
Mohammad Yasouf Neyazi new Y
18 Border and Tribal Affairs Sayed Hamid Gailani new N 70 149 11 2 -
Arsala Jamal new N
19 Counter Narcotics General Khudaidad incumbent N 36 176 17 3 1
Zara Ahmad Muqbel new Y
20 Higher Education Obaidullah Obaid new N 94 121 12 5 -
Mohammad Hashim Esmatullahi new N
21 Public Works Mirza Hussain Abdullahi new N 33 179 17 2 -
Mohammad Bashir Lali new N
22 Rural Rehabilitation and Development Wais Ahmad Barmak new N 90 127 9 4 2
Jarullah Mansoori new Y
23 Labour and Social Affairs Mohammad Esmail Monshi new N 39 176 14 2 1
Amina Afzali new Y
24 Transport Mohammadullah Batash new N 82 138 10 3 -
Abdul Rahim Horas new N
25 Urban Development not nominated
Sultan Hussain Nasiri new N

Previous administrations

Main articles: First Karzai cabinet, Afghan Transitional Administration, and Afghan Interim Administration

Karzai administration 2004–2009

In the line chart below is the list of members of the Afghan Cabinet from 2004 to 2009.[22][23]

Portfolio Minister Notes
President Hamid Karzai
First Vice President Ahmad Zia Massoud
Second Vice President Karim Khalili
Senior Minister Hedayat Amin Arsala Until 2005[24]
Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah / Rangin Dadfar Spanta Spanta assumed post in 2006[24]
Defense Minister Abdul Rahim Wardak
Interior Minister Ali Ahmad Jalali / Mohamad Hanif Atmar Ali Ahmad Jalali resigned on 27 September 2005.[25]
Finance Minister Anwar ul-Haq Ahady / Omar Zakhilwal In 2009 Omar Zakhilwal replaced Anwar ul-Haq Ahady[26]
Economic Minister Mohammad Amin Farhang / Mohammad Jalil Shams [24][27]
Justice Minister Sarwar Danish
Culture and Youth Affairs Minister Sayed Makhdum Rahin Abdul Karim Khoram [24][27]
Education Minister Noor Mohammad Qarqeen / Mohamad Hanif Atmar / Ghulam Farooq Wardak In 2006, Qarqeen switched to ministry of Social Affair. Between 2006 and 2008 Atmar was minister of Education before he switched to ministry of interior. Wardak assumed post in 2008.[24]
Higher Education Minister Ameer Shah Hasanyaar / Mohammad Azam Dadfar [25][27]
Commerce Minister Mohammad Amin Farhang / Hedayat Amin Arsala In 2005 Hedayat Amin Arsala became Commerce minister[24]
Water and Energy Minister Ismial Khan
Transportation and Aviation Minister Enayatullah Qasemi / Hamidullah Farooqi [24][27]
Women's Affairs Minister Husn Bano Ghazanfar
Haj and Islamic Affairs Minister Nematullah Shahrani
Public Welfare Minister Sohrab Ali Saffari
Public Health Minister Mohammad Amin Fatemi
Agriculture Minister Obaidullah Ramin / Mohammad Asef Rahimi [24][27]
Mines Minister Ibrahim Adel
Communications Minister Amirzai Sangin
Rural Rehabilitation and Development Minister Mohamad Hanif Atmar / Ehsan Zia When Mohamad Hanif Atmar in 2006 switched to the ministry of Education, Eshan Zia was his replacement[24]
Work, Social Affairs, Martyred and Disabled Minister Sayed Ikramuddin Masoomi / Noor Mohammad Qarqeen Qarqeen (till then minister of education) replaced Masoomi in 2006.[28]
Border Affairs and Tribal Affairs Minister Abdul Karim Barahawi
Urban Development Minister Yousef Pashtun
Counter Narcotics Minister Habibullah Qaderi
Refugees and Repatriation Minister Sher Mohammad Etebari
Attorney General Mohammad Ishaq Aloko
Afghan National Security Adviser Zalmai Rassoul

Afghan transitional administration

The Afghan Transitional Administration was the name of a temporary administration of Afghanistan put in place by the Bonn Conference of 2001.[29] Following the ouster of the Taliban regime approximately two dozen leading Afghans met in Germany to choose a leadership and set in place a timeline for the adoption of a new constitution for a new Afghan government, and the timeline for choosing an executive and legislature by democratic election.[29] In the chart below is the list of members of the Interim and Transitional Afghan authority (20 December 2001 – October 2004).

Interim and Transitional Afghan Authority Administrators/Ministers[29]
Interim
Authority
Position		 Name Ethnicity Transitional
Authority
Position		 Name Ethnicity
Chairman Hamid Karzai Pashtun President Hamid Karzai Pashtun
Vice-Chair Hedayat Amin Arsala Pashtun Vice President Hedayat Amin Arsala Pashtun
Vice-Chair Mohammed Fahim Tajik Vice President Mohammed Fahim Tajik
Vice–Chair and Women's Affairs Sima Samar Hazara Vice President Karim Khalili Hazara
Vice-Chair Mohammed Mohaqqeq Hazara Vice President Abdul Qadir Pashtun
Vice-Chair Ahmed Shakar Karkar Uzbek
Special Advisor on Security Yunus Qanooni Tajik
Defense Minister Mohammed Fahim Tajik Defense Minister Mohammed Fahim Tajik
Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah Pashtun-Tajik Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah Pashtun-Tajik
Finance Minister Hedayat Amin Arsala Pashtun Finance Minister Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai Pashtun
Interior Minister Yunus Qanooni Tajik Interior Minister Taj Mohammed Wardak Pashtun
Planning Minister Mohammed Mohaqqeqk Hazara Planning Minister Mohammed Mohaqqeqk Hazara
Communications Minister Abdul Rahim Tajik Communications Minister Masoom Stanakzai Pashtun
Borders Minister Amanullah Zadran Borders Minister Arif Nurzai Pashtun
Refugees Minister Intayatullah Nazeri Tajik Refugees Minister Intayatullah Nazeri Tajik
Small Industries Minister Aref Noozari Pashtun Mines Minister Juma M. Mahammadi Pashtun
Mines and Industry Minister Mohammed Alim Razm Uzbek Light Industries Minister Mohammed Alim Razm Uzbek
Health Minister Suhaila Seddiqi Pashtun Health Minister Suhaila Seddiqi Pashtun
Commerce Minister Sayed Mustafa Kasemi Shia Commerce Minister Sayed Mustafa Kasemi Shia
Agriculture Minister Sayed Hussain Anwari Hazara Agriculture Minister Sayed Hussain Anwari Hazara
Justice Minister Abbas Karimi Uzbek Justice Minister Abbas Karimi Uzbek
Information and Culture Minister Saeed Makhdoom Rahim Tajik Information and Culture Minister Saeed Makhdoom Rahim Tajik
Reconstruction Minister Mohammed Fahim Farhang Pashtun Reconstruction Minister Mohammed Fahim Farhang Pashtun
Haj and Mosques Minister Mohammad Hanif Balkhi Tajik Haj and Mosques Minister Mohammed Amin Naziryar Pashtun
Urban Affairs Minister Abdul Qadir Pashtun Urban Affairs Minister Yusuf Pashtun Pashtun
Public Works Minister Abdul Khalig Fazal Pashtun Public Works Minister Abdul Qadir Pashtun
Social Affairs Minister Noor Mohammed Karkin Turkman Social Affairs Minister Noor Mohammad Qarqeen (resigned in
September 2004 to serve as the Director of the
electoral campaign of Hamid Karzai.[30]
Water and Power Minister Ahmed Shakar Karkar Uzbek Water and Power Minister Ahmed Shakar Karkar Uzbek
Irrigation Minister Mangal Hussein Pashtun Irrigation & Environment Minister Ahmed Yusuf Nuristani Pashtun
Martyrs and Disabled Minister Abdullah Wardak Pashtun Martyrs and Disabled Minister Abdullah Wardak Pashtun
Higher Education Minister Sharif Faez Tajik Higher Education Minister Sharif Faez Tajik
Civil Aviation & Tourism Minister Abdul Rahman Civil Aviation & Tourism Minister Mirwais Sadiq Tajik
Labor and Social Affairs Mirwais Sadiq Tajik
Transportation Minister Sultan Hamid Hamid Hazara Transportation Minister Saeed Mohammed Ali Jawad Shia
Education Minister Abdul Rassoul Amin Education Minister Yunus Qanooni Tajik
Rural Development Minister Abdul Mailk Anwar Tajik Rural Development Minister Mohamad Hanif Atmar Pashtun
Supreme Court Chief Justice Sheikh Hadi Shinwari Pashtun

References

  1. ^ Rubin, Alissa J. (4 January 2010). ""Standoff Builds Over Afghan Cabinet"". The New York Times. Afghanistan. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/05/world/asia/05karzai.html. Retrieved 23 November 2011. 
  2. ^ ""In nod to U.S., Karzai to keep current ministers in top cabinet jobs"". The Washington Post. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/18/AR2009121804221.html. Retrieved 23 November 2011. 
  3. ^ ""Afghan Officials: Karzai to Keep Half His Cabinet"". .voanews.com. 18 December 2009. http://www1.voanews.com/english/news/middle-east/Afghan-Officials-Karzai-to-Keep-Half-His-Cabinet--79657667.html. Retrieved 23 November 2011. 
  4. ^ Nushin Arbabzadah (4 April 2011). ""Karzai's cabinet conundrum"". The Guardian. UK. http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/dec/18/karzai-cabinet-afghanistan. Retrieved 23 November 2011. 
  5. ^ ""Afghan Officials: Half of Karzai's Cabinet to Stay"". Afghanconflictmonitor.org. 4 July 2011. http://www.afghanconflictmonitor.org/2009/12/officials-half-of-karzais-cabinet-to-stay.html. Retrieved 23 November 2011. 
  6. ^ Salahuddin, Sayed (18 December 2009). ""Karzai to keep pro-West ministers"". Uk.reuters.com. http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKTRE5BH29220091218. Retrieved 23 November 2011. 
  7. ^ Salahuddin, Sayed. ""Afghan leader keeps top ministers in new cabinet"". http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE5BI0J120091219. Retrieved 23 November 2011. 
  8. ^ ""Afghan president's new Cabinet picks include controversial figure – President Hamid Karzai drops one warlord and three associates of a former militia commander from his list, but a new nominee has been linked to an insurgent leader"". Los Angeles Times. 10 January 2010. http://www.latimes.com/news/nation-and-world/la-fg-afghan-cabinet10-2010jan10,0,2251304.story. Retrieved 23 November 2011. 
  9. ^ ""Karzai's new cabinet crisis"". The Globe and Mail. Canada. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/karzais-new-cabinet-crisis/article1426176/. Retrieved 23 November 2011. 
  10. ^ Cavendish, Julius (11 January 2010). ""Doubt cast over Karzai's new cabinet selections – Allegations of corruption and inexperience dog second attempt to form government"". The Independent. UK. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/doubt-cast-over-karzais-new-cabinet-selections-1863912.html. Retrieved 23 November 2011. 
  11. ^ Philippe Naughton Updated 3 minutes ago. ""Afghanistan's parliament examines Karzai's new Cabinet candidates"". The Times. UK. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/Afghanistan/article6982712.ece. Retrieved 23 November 2011. 
  12. ^ ""Afghan parliament approves 7 new ministers"". News.xinhuanet.com. 16 January 2010. http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2010-01/16/content_12821148.htm. Retrieved 23 November 2011. 
  13. ^ Rubin, Alissa J. (10 January 2010). ""Many Karzai Afghan Cabinet Choices Are Rejected"". The New York Times. Afghanistan. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/03/world/asia/03afghan.html. Retrieved 23 November 2011. 
  14. ^ Faiez, Rahim (16 January 2010). ""Afghan lawmakers reject majority of Cabinet picks"". The Independent. UK. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/afghan-lawmakers-reject-majority-of-cabinet-picks-1869790.html. Retrieved 23 November 2011. 
  15. ^ David Batty. ""Hamid Karzai still weak as Afghan parliament rejects cabinet nominees – Further rejection of president's candidates raises doubts over his ability to win back Afghans from the Taliban"". The Guardian. UK. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/jan/16/hamid-karzai-cabinet-nominees-rejected. Retrieved 23 November 2011. 
  16. ^ ""Lawmakers reject majority of Cabinet picks"". E-ariana.com. 19 November 2011. http://www.e-ariana.com/ariana/eariana.nsf/allDocs/E2918654AEF2F14F872576AD0048C01B?OpenDocument. Retrieved 23 November 2011. 
  17. ^ "Afghanistan Online: Cabinet of ministers". Afghan-web.com. http://www.afghan-web.com/politics/cabinet_members.html. Retrieved 23 November 2011. 
  18. ^ ""Members of President Hamid Karzai's Cabinet"". Afghan-web.com. http://www.afghan-web.com/politics/cabinet_members.html. Retrieved 23 November 2011. 
  19. ^ http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2010-01/02/content_12745139.htm
  20. ^ FACTBOX: Who are Karzai's new cabinet picks, Reuters, 9 January 2010
  21. ^ http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=9578970
  22. ^ "Afghanistan Online: Members of President Hamid Karzai's Cabinet". Afghan-web.com. http://www.afghan-web.com/politics/cabinet_members.html. Retrieved 23 November 2011. 
  23. ^ Chiefs of State and Cabinet Members of Foreign Governments CIA World Leaders, 30 March 2009
  24. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Cabinet Biographies". Afghanembassyjp.com. http://www.afghanembassyjp.com/en/government/?pn=60. Retrieved 23 November 2011. 
  25. ^ a b "Short Biographies of Afghanistan new Cabinet members". Mashreqi.net. http://www.mashreqi.net/html/kabinettmitglieder.htm#SocialLabor. Retrieved 23 November 2011. 
  26. ^ Short biography of the Minister Professor Anwar-ul-Haq Ahadi
  27. ^ a b c d e "President Hamid Karzai's new cabinet". Institute-for-afghan-studies.org. http://www.institute-for-afghan-studies.org/Documents/1stCabinet.html. Retrieved 23 November 2011. 
  28. ^ "Afghan Bios: Qarqeen". Afghan-bios.info. 16 January 2010. http://www.afghan-bios.info/tinc?key=2vB1wwzV&session_currentpage=index&session_mode=guest&formname=afghan_bios&session_searchcriteria=qarqeen&session_sortby=field_3&userid=1277990377;473762;788&session_nextpage=data_edit&session_offset=50&session_start=1&session_dbkey=1255199810;364933;774_afghan_bios&dbkey=1255199810;364933;774_afghan_bios. Retrieved 23 November 2011. 
  29. ^ a b c Thomas H. Johnson (February 2006). "The Prospects for Post-Conflict Afghanistan: A Call of the Sirens to the Country’s Troubled Past". V. Strategic Insights. http://www.ccc.nps.navy.mil/si/2006/Feb/johnsonFeb06.asp. Retrieved 2009-06-29. 
  30. ^ <http://www.maihan.info/bio/mohqarqeen.html Minister of Work, Social Affairs, Martyred, and Disabled: Noor Mohammad Qarqeen Biography> Short Biographies Of the new Cabinet members
National cabinets of Asia
Sovereign
states
States with limited
recognition
Dependencies and
other territories
  • Christmas Island
  • Cocos (Keeling) Islands
  • Hong Kong
  • Macau