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← 1965 1964 1963 1966 in Afghanistan → 1967 1968 1969
Decades:	1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s
See also:	Other events of 1966 List of years in Afghanistan

The following lists events that happened during1966 inAfghanistan.

Thanks largely to the intelligent use made of the aid given by theU.S.S.R., the United States,West Germany, Britain, China, and theWorld Bank, the internaleconomy of the country made good progress.

The first five-year plan, which began in 1956, aimed at encouragingagriculture, especiallyirrigation. Experience showed, however, that progress in these spheres could only be partially achieved as long as internal communications remained primitive and thenatural resources of the country were largely unexplored. As a result, the major effort was diverted to the construction ofroads andairports, and to the systematic investigation of sources ofwater supply and ofmineral wealth.

During the course of the second five-year plan, conditions became favourable on many economic front. Promising deposits ofnatural gas and ofiron ore were discovered; the power available forindustrial use increased dramatically; and the extension ofirrigation led to substantially increased agricultural production.

In Afghanistan, as in many other underdeveloped countries, however, this rapid success led to the emergence of new problems, unforeseen in the original planning:inflation of prices, difficulties over foreign exchange, and an unhealthy reliance on large-scale external aid for the easing of current domestic shortages. The indications are that the third five-year plan will aim mainly at consolidating what has already been achieved rather than at any new major advances.

• Monarch -Mohammed Zahir Shah
• Prime Minister -Mohammad Hashim Maiwandwal

The break with the past represented by the newdemocratic constitution inaugurated in 1965 is further underlined by the appointment of a woman,Kubra Noorzai, to the cabinet^[1] as Minister ofPublic Health. Under the new constitution, women can both vote and stand as candidates, and in September 1965, four were returned to the new National Assembly. Even so, Miss Noorzai's elevation to cabinet rank is regarded as a striking illustration of the determination of KingMohammad Zahir Shah and of the government headed byMohammad Hashim Maiwandwal to bring the country into line with modern ideas on the political and social status of women.

Cordiality with thePeople's Republic of China is cemented by a visit toKabul by PresidentLiu Shaoqi^[2] and MarshalChen Yi. Afghanistan maintains its traditional policy of friendliness without involvement, its relations with Communist and non-Communist countries being equally cordial. The former friction withPakistan has also ceased.

The firstparliament created under the new democratic constitution adjourns for the winter recess. Its relations with the Maiwandwal cabinet were close and cordial, and it gave full support to the government's efforts to achieve national financial stability. Drastic cuts were made in government expenditure and, due to an agreement with theInternational Monetary Fund, the country is able to face with confidence the completion of the second five-year plan and the beginning in May 1967 of the third five-year plan.

• 1966 in Afghanistan
• 1966 by country
• Years of the 20th century in Afghanistan
• 1966 in Asia
• 1960s in Afghanistan

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