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About the Ministry

History

The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology was established in 1955, when the country had one-to-one wired telephone network only, as part of communications facilities, which was later developed to a small telephone facility. The Ministry then pushed to the next development of the time through providing telegraph services. However, it was used for military purposes only.

Throughout the Ministry history, it has been a sole source for providing modern communications facilities to the people and government. As part of its initiatives, Afghanistan became member of the International Telegraph Union (ITU) in 1928. This had been a major achievement of the time for the country, ensuring the country access to major communications facilities.

In 1960s, Afghanistan has been connected to the world through international radio transceiver that was installed in Kabul.

After formation of interim government in 2001 followed by elected government, new legislations were introduced to encourage private sectors to invest in different fields, including telecommunications. Many private companies emerged in communications and information technology sector providing many communication services. Ministry of Communications and Information Technology is one of the political entities in the country that designs new relevant strategies and policies that enables private sector to increase level of investment in communication sector and provide better communication and information technology services.

 

Mission

The Mandate of Ministry of Communication and IT (MCIT) is to Provide high Quality Communication, IT and Postal Services for the Afghan People at Affordable prices. The Ministry has been Actively Advocating for a Positive change in the Society by Connecting the Afghan People to Knowledge and Resources, which will enable them to Improve the quality of their lives. The Afghan Government aims to establish a stable and Democratic Political Environment, rule of law, and a Favorable Regulatory Environment for Business

Vision

The vision of the Ministry of Communication and IT is to transform Afghanistan into Information Society.

 

The main goals and responsibilities of the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology

The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, as the responsible body and director of the information and communication technology sector, is determined to pave the way for digital transformation by designing the required policies and implementing national projects, private sector activities, creating new facilities of information and telecommunication technology, in order so that our country and people can be included in the digital economy in line with other countries of the world.

Achievement report and government accountability to Nation 1399

In order to achieve these goals and reach to a new digital society, self-sufficient, the Ministry tracks the following major goals and responsibilities:

  • To promote information technology in all sectors
  • To provide affordable, secure access
  • To Attract national and international investments in this sector
  • Providing and legalization of digital services in Afghanistan
  • Automation and simplification the processes of public services.
  • Creating an ecosystem (inclusive context) for digital transformation
  • Creating, facilitating and promoting the digital economy
  • To transform Afghanistan into a crossroads for data transit in the region

Achievements in the postal service sector during 1399:

Afghan Post is one of the important departments that provides postal services to the citizens of the country under the supervision of the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology. In fiscal year 1400, the company will operates independently

The department has attained the following achievements during the fiscal year 1399.

  • Repairing and reconstruction of 35 post offices in the first and second degree have been completed. Only in cold provinces is it temporarily closed due to the cold weather, which continues after the weather warms up.
  • 200 motorcycles and 15 vehicles have been purchased to collect and deliver postal packages from districts to provincial capitals.
  • (3329431) incoming and outgoing postal items, domestic and foreign, have been carried out in the Capital and provinces of the country.
  • The transfer and distribution of (96371) documents approved by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been done through post offices in the capital and provinces.

The distribution of (527591) passports has been done through post offices in the Capital and provinces of the country.

In the field of quality of information technology services (during fiscal year 1399):

The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology has gotten the following achievements in the field of quality of information technology services during 1399:

  • Equipment has been procured for the development of the Internet Exchange Center (NIXA Upgradation).
  • As much as 23 large internet service provider companies have been connected to the Nixa device for security and control of internet traffic in the cyberspace of the country, and some other have been surveyed.
  • Equipment for Electronic certification system for government websites and creation of electronic authentication system SSL (Sockets Secure Layer) for distribution of digital certificates, has been purchased and is in the process of being installed.
  • A technical survey has been completed in order to develop the Afghan cyber security team against cyber-attacks.
  • The security system for the Cloud Infrastructure and the National Information Center has been surveyed.
  • Launching online Higher Education Management System in cooperation with the Ministry of Higher Education.

In field of Fiber Optic Regional Connectivity:

Fiber optics is one of the services of Afghan Telecom and is one of the largest infrastructure projects in the growth of the telecommunications and information technology sector in the country.

Fiber Optic transmits information in the shortest time and the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology in this sector has achieved the following successes during the fiscal year 1399:

  • The survey of the fiber optic cable extension to the Republic of China has been done through Wakhan from Faizabad to the Chinese border. The request for money to extend the Wakhan Corridor fiber optic has been sent to China, and the work is underway.
  • The connection to Kazakhstan via the fiber optic network has been prepared by Afghanistan, but due to the financial and technical problems of Tajikistan, the project failed to be completed.

Connecting government departments and schools to the Internet and fiber optic

The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, in accordance with the plan and policy of digitization of government offices and strengthening e-government in coordination with relevant departments to connect government offices to the Internet via fiber optic network or wireless system, has begun surveys and preliminary work.

During FY 1399, the following achievements have been attained:

  • In order to connect government offices in the centers of 34 provinces of the country to the Internet (via fiber optic cable network or wireless system) a survey was conducted to provide the necessary bandwidth of the Government Network. Four companies have submitted their price offers and further studies are ongoing.
  • The process of connecting 160 schools with fiber optic networks in 25 provinces is underway.
  • Connecting work of 500 schools in the provinces via WiMAX and Point to Point is underway.

 

In the Asan Khedmat Section:

The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology gained the following achievements at the beginning of the fiscal year 1399 until the Asan Khedmat department was officially assigned to the Statistics Office.

  • Land has been identified for building Asan Khedmat center in Herat, Kandahar, Nangarhar, Balkh, Khost and Paktia provinces.
  • The Asan Khedmat center was established in Khost province, which provides public services regarding the issuance of passports, work license, ground transport, martyrs and the disabled.
  • The salaries of the Ministries of Education, Labor and Social Affairs employees have been paid through mobile.

 

Activities for job creation during the fiscal year 1399:

Based on the staff recruitment plan, The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology has taken practical measures and has announced the vacancies through open competition during the fiscal year 1399.

In this section, it has succeeded in creating directly and indirectly employment.

In direct employment:

  • As much as 45 experts and professional staffs have been hired in development projects to improve the work and upgrade the technical capacity of the employees of the MCIT.
  • 172 employees have been hired in vacant positions based on the salary system.

In the indirect employment:

  • In the telecommunication and information technology sector, it is estimated that about 200,000 individuals have been indirectly engaged in work.

 

Names of the Ministers of Communication and Information Technology:

  1. Her Excellency Minister Masooma Khawari  (14 Sep 2020)

  2. His Excellency Acting Minister Mohammed Fahim Hashimy  (2019 - 2020)

  3. His Excellency Minister Shahzad Aryobee  (2017 - 2019)

  4. His Excellency Minister Abdul-Razaq Vahidi (2015)

  5. His Excellency Minister Amirzai Sangin (2004 – 2014)

  6. His Excellency Minister Mohammad Masoom Stanekzai (2002 - 2003)

  7. His Excellency Minister Engineer Abdul Rahim (2002)

  8. His Excellency Minister Molave Yar Mohammad Rahimi (10 Oct 1999 – 29 Nov 2001)

  9. His Excellency Minister Ahmadullah Mati 5 March (1998 – 10 Oct 1999)

  10. His Excellency Minister Mula allah Daad Akhond (7 Oct 1996 – 5 March 1998)

  11. His Excellency Minister Qazi Muhammad Amin Waqad (1994 - 1997)

  12. His Excellency Minister Muhammad Akram (1994)

  13. His Excellency Minister Sayyid Mohammad Nasim Alawi (1991 - 1992)

  14. His Excellency Minister Mir Azamuddin (1990)

  15. His Excellency Minister Muhammad Aslam Watanjar (1981 - 1989)

  16. His Excellency Minister Sayed Muhammad Gulabzoi (1980)

  17. His Excellency Minister Abdul Karim Atai (1975 - 1976)

  18. His Excellency Minister Abdul Hamid Mohtat (1975)

  19.  His Excellency Minister Mohammad Azam graan (1969 - 1972)

  20. His Excellency Minister Mohammad Hussain Rasa (1967 - 1968)

  21. His Excellency Minister Doc. Mohammad Haidar Khan (1964 - 1967)

  22. His Excellency Minister Mohammad Farid Khan (1962)

  23. His Excellency Minister Engineer Abdul Hakim (1958 - 1960)

  24. His Excellency Minister Ghulam Mohammad Shirzad (1956 - 1958)