Today, Wednesday, 28 Asad, corresponding to August 19, marks Afghanistan’s Independence Day, the day when, 107 years ago, following the Third Anglo-Afghan War, the country gained control over its foreign policy and secured its political independence from Britain.
According to the official historical narrative adopted and reinforced by successive Afghan governments, the Third Anglo-Afghan War in 1919 culminated in an agreement between the Afghan government and Britain, an event regarded as a significant milestone in the country’s path toward independence.
At the time, representatives of King Amanullah Khan and the British government negotiated in Rawalpindi over the end of hostilities and relations between the two sides. The Rawalpindi Agreement was signed on August 8, 1919, paving the way for the end of British control over Afghanistan’s foreign policy.
August 19 is commemorated each year as Afghanistan’s Independence Day, and 2026 marks the 107th anniversary of this historic event. The day is also observed as a public holiday in Afghanistan.
The Taliban have also commemorated August 19 as Afghanistan’s Independence Day and have declared a public holiday to mark the occasion. In their statements, the group has linked Afghanistan’s independence to the end of British influence over the country’s foreign policy in 1919.
Writer:Salima Aryaei
