Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar Akhund, the Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, has been appointed as the Chairman of the National Council of Standards

The establishment of this council was ordered by the Prime Minister under Order 2083 and Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar Akhund has been appointed as its chairman beside his other responsibilities. The National Council of Standards plays a crucial role in approving strategies and overarching policies for the National Standards Authority. Its scope encompasses the regulation of substandard goods entering the country, as well as the oversight of non-standard and arbitrary construction activities within the nation. This council is instrumental in endorsing national standards, building codes, norms, and supporting the development of technical regulations. The permanent members of this council include Deputy Ministers from several key ministries, such as Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock, Higher Education, Urban Development & Housing, Public Works, Public Health, Industry and Commerce, Communications and Information Technology, Mines and Petroleum, Transport and Aviation, and Finance. Additionally, it includes the Chief Executive of the National Environmental Protection Agency, Chief Executive of the Academy of Science the Kabul Mayor, the Deputy General Directorate of Municipalities, and members from the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment and Mines and Industries. It is noteworthy that the Secretariat of the National Council of Standards operates under the purview of the National Standards Authority.