History of Herat Municipality.

Background of Herat Municipality

Although urban civilization in Herat dates back many centuries, various institutions under different names, including Kalantari (City Administration), Nazmiya (Police Administration), and Baladiya (Municipality), were responsible for managing urban affairs throughout different historical periods. However, the institution officially known as Herat Municipality, with a defined administrative structure, responsibilities, and authorities for urban governance, was formally established in 1308 Solar Hijri (1929/1930) in the Chaharbagh area under the supervision of Abdul Ghafour Khan Golmiri.

At that time, the Municipality was responsible for collecting taxes, recruiting military personnel, registering the urban population, and regulating and controlling city traffic.

During that period, Herat had a population of fewer than one hundred thousand residents, and municipal services were provided on a limited scale. As the city expanded, the development of New Herat and the increase in the number of municipal districts to 15 districts significantly broadened the Municipality's responsibilities and strengthened its role in urban administration.

Since its establishment, Herat Municipality has been led by 40 mayors and acting mayors, appointed or elected at different times. The people of Herat remember each of them differently. Among those widely recognized as successful mayors are Ghulam Yahya Khan Taimuri, Mostofi Abdul Latif Khan Taimuri, Ahmad Ali Khan Jamshidi, Abdul Rahim Khan Barakzai, Haji Abdul Rahim Khan Ghoriyani, Ata Mohammad Khan Naqshbandi, Ustad Mohammad Khan Naqshbandi, Ustad Mohammad Saeed Mashal, Rahmatullah Haqdoust, Engineer Farhad Niayesh, Mullah Sharafuddin Mukhlis, Mawlawi Hayatullah Mohajir Farahi, Al-Haj Mullah Abdul Razaq Rashid, and Al-Haj Mullah Nematullah Hassan.

The current Herat Municipality headquarters is located on Pul-e Rangina Road in the Sixth Municipal District and is responsible for administering 15 urban districts. At present, Mawlawi Hamdullah No'mani serves as the Mayor of Herat.

In recent years, Herat Municipality has consistently been recognized as one of Afghanistan's leading municipal institutions, with its achievements receiving appreciation from various organizations and, in particular, the citizens of Herat.

Over the past two years, through effective management and systematic planning, Herat Municipality has successfully strengthened public participation in cultural and social activities. In the 1404 Solar Hijri fiscal year, it generated more than 1.08 billion Afghanis in revenue from various income sources, reflecting significant improvements in financial management and revenue collection.

Herat Municipality has continuously sought to strengthen its position among leading Asian cities. In this regard, it has implemented a variety of urban, cultural, and educational initiatives. These include the "Municipality in Schools" program, aimed at promoting civic culture, increasing urban awareness, and educating students about social responsibility. Furthermore, the construction of Afghanistan's first standard road underpass for motor vehicles, regarded as one of the country's landmark infrastructure projects, is among the Municipality's most notable achievements.

In addition to providing municipal services, Herat Municipality has consistently worked toward developing urban infrastructure, protecting the environment, expanding green spaces, improving city sanitation, enhancing the quality of public services, implementing major infrastructure projects, and strengthening citizen participation as part of its long-term sustainable development strategy.