The first of Asad (July 22) was the seventeenth anniversary of the death of Mohammad Zahir Shah, the last king of Afghanistan.

Mohammad Zahir Shah reigned in Afghanistan for forty years, and among his most significant achievements were the establishment of a new constitution, the adoption of a constitutional monarchy, and the freedom of political parties.

Mohammad Zahir Shah, son of Mohammad Nadir Khan, came to power at the age of nineteen after his father was assassinated.

Seven years after Zahir Shah came to power, World War II began. By declaring neutrality in this war, Zahir Shah's government kept Afghanistan away from the ravages of World War II.

Salim Paigir, a political analyst, told TOLOnews: "During his forty-year reign, Zahir Khan managed to maintain a balance between the East and the West, as well as between the Soviet Union and the United States. He also succeeded in creating a strong sense of security in Afghanistan. He had enormous achievements."

The reign of Afghanistan's last king lasted for forty years. The important initiatives mentioned above were among Mohammad Zahir Shah's first steps toward democracy in Afghanistan.

Moeen Gul Samkani, another analyst, said: "The parties that were formed at that time, unfortunately, were supported by other countries and acted as their proxies; hence, these parties did not yield positive results. They did not engage in political struggles beneficial to the country; rather, they always aimed to impose their ideas and ideologies on all Afghans."

However, the monarch system caused dissatisfaction for Daoud Khan, Zahir Shah's cousin and prime minister. According to the new constitution, political activities were prohibited for the royal family. Consequently, while Zahir Shah was in Italy for medical treatment, Daoud Khan staged a coup on the 26th of Saratan, 1352 (July 17, 1973), abolishing the monarchy in Afghanistan.

Fazl-ur-Rahman Oria, another analyst, said: "The system under Zahir Shah had become extremely outdated in both domestic and foreign politics. Additionally, there were familial tensions, with Daoud Khan harboring resentment against Zahir Shah and wanting to take action."

In 2002, he returned to Afghanistan to inaugurate the Emergency Loya Jirga for the establishment of an interim government.

Ultimately, the last king of Afghanistan passed away on the 1st of Asad, 1386 (July 23, 2007) in Kabul and was buried on Maranjan Hill.