Assessment of the Performance Appraisal System in Afghanistan’s Public Sector

Abstract This paper evaluates the performance appraisal system in Afghanistan's public sector. It reviews the current regulatory system of performance appraisal and also highlights its key components and shortcomings. Appraisal systems have evolved from traditional and subjective methods towards modern and objective methods aimed at enhancing transparency and capacity in organizations. Public administration reforms implemented in Afghanistan in the post-2001 period focused on restructuring the system and improving organizational capacity. It also created a performance appraisal system to cope with challenges such as favouritism, weak feedback mechanisms, and limited institutional capacity. However, political turbulence and government change in the country affected the public administration system, and the reform process was abandoned before reaching the desired goals. In the current scenario, the lack of a rational regulatory framework is a key challenge to creating and improving an objective performance appraisal system. To establish a functional system responsive to the needs of the country, commitment to the reform initiatives is crucial.