The Leadership makes all major policy decisions behind closed doors, which are then implemented by the country's civil service and judiciary.

As Afghanistan is an Islamic state, governance is based on Sharia law and Pashtunwali, which the Taliban enforces strictly through extensive social and cultural policies.

The current theocratic government came to power in 2021 with the United States-led coalition's withdrawal after a twenty-year insurgency against the Western-backed Islamic Republic, after having itself been ousted in 2001.

[1][2] The government is criticized by international observers for totalitarianism,[3] systemic human rights violations, as well as for being unaccountable, opaque, and exclusive of women, religious and ethnic minorities, and those with dissenting views.

Since coming to power, it has grappled with an economic crisis, international isolation, terrorism and rebellion, and a string of natural disasters.

[4] These responsibilities include appointing and dismissing the cabinet, judiciary, armed forces general staff,[5] and provincial and municipal governments, issuing decrees, special instructions, and orders regulating the operations of those mentioned above.

[14] However, there can be more than two deputy leaders,[15][16] as was the case with Akhtar Mansoor promoting Haibatullah Akhundzada and Sirajuddin Haqqani to the positions.

Despite being officially responsible for advising and overseeing the Kandahar provincial government, it also approves and disapproves all decisions made by the Kabul-based Council of Ministers.

It is responsible for ensuring all policies by the executive conform to Sharia and can overrule decisions made by the Council of Ministers.

[34] It functions as a religious judicial body,[35] allowed to make quasi-binding decisions on multiple topics its scholars deem to be in line with Islamic Law.

[40] Deputy prime ministers are also assigned specialized portfolios since 2021, overseeing technical commissions addressing critical issues.

It comprises 26 ministries[44] whose agency executives administer the civil service and are overseen by the Prime Minister.

[64] The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan also maintains a parallel military judicial system meant for hearing complaints, lawsuits, and petitions against personnel within the security forces.

All cases are presided over by an appointed justice, which would be heard by the respective zonal military court if approved.

The council is given the power to advise the provincial government and overrule any policy or decision contrary to Islam.

[70] The provincial governor is appointed and dismissed by the supreme leader to oversee the province's administration[71][72] under the regional ulema council.

Directors appointed and dismissed by the supreme leader oversee the operation of their respective local departments.