Criminal law is a branch of public law that governs offenses, criminal liability, and penalties. Within the legal system of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, the 2017 Penal Code was published in Official Gazette No. 1260 and entered into force following the completion of the required legal procedures. The Code established the general framework of criminal law in Afghanistan and, together with other criminal legislation, provided the legal basis for defining offenses, determining criminal liability, and establishing the penalties applicable to them.