In foreign affairs Afghanistan maintains its position of nonalignment, receiving aid from, and cultivating friendly relations with, Communist as well as non-Communist countries.

The improvement of relations with Pakistan continues, and although toward the end of 1964 the loya jirga (the traditional Grand Council of the nation, superseded under the new constitution) passed a formal resolution in favour of the creation of Pakhtunistan, the violent propaganda that had offended Pakistan so seriously died down.

Trade between the two countries greatly increases, as does the flow of visitors and tourists.

Several unofficial parties run candidates with beliefs ranging from fundamentalist Islam to the extreme left.

Turnout is very low, leading to the vocal predominance of Kabuli radicals.