The independent Supreme Court, as called for…

The independent Supreme Court, as called for in Afghanistan's 1964 constitution, is never appointed.

The political structure in the capital is unable to deal with the country's economic problems caused by the severe drought of the previous two years, and the royal family is increasingly the target of charges of corruption and malfeasance.

While the king vacations in Europe, Lieutenant General Mohammad Daud Khan, the former prime minister and a brother-in-law and first cousin of Zahir Shah, senses the stagnation of the constitutional processes and seizes power on July 17, 1973, in a virtually bloodless coup.

Assisted in the coup by young leftist military officers and civil servants of the Banner (Parcham) Party, Daud abolishes the monarchy, abrogates the 1964 constitution, and declares Afghanistan a republic with himself as chairman of the Central Committee of the Republic and prime minister.

Zahir Shah formally abdicates on August 24, 1973.

The new government's flag retains the black-red-green tricolor format, but the arms, in white, are much larger.