Former Afghanistan Prime Minister Sultan Ali Keshtmand Passes Away in London

Former Afghanistan Prime Minister Sultan Ali Keshtmand has died in London on Friday, March 13, according to a statement confirmed by his brother on the family’s official Facebook page. Keshtmand, who was the first member of Afghanistan’s Hazara community to become prime minister, played a prominent role in the country’s political leadership during the 1980s.

Keshtmand served as prime minister from June 11, 1981 to May 26, 1988 during the presidency of Babrak Karmal. He later returned to the position from February 21, 1989 to May 8, 1990 under the government of Mohammad Najibullah. In addition to his role as prime minister, he also served as minister of planning and represented Kabul in the country’s parliament.

Born in the spring of 1935 in the Chahardahi area of Kabul, Keshtmand grew up in a farming family. He later adopted the pen name “Keshtmand,” which eventually became his family name. In his own words, he described choosing the name to reflect his rural roots and early life connected with agriculture.

Following the collapse of Najibullah’s government in 1992, Keshtmand left Afghanistan and lived in exile. He initially moved to Russia before later settling in the United Kingdom, where he spent the final years of his life in London.

Keshtmand’s political career unfolded during a turbulent era in Afghanistan history, particularly during the Soviet-backed governments that followed the Saur Revolution. The period was marked by intense internal conflict and international involvement, shaping the country’s political structure for years to come.

As the first Hazara to hold Afghanistan’s premiership, Keshtmand was considered an important political figure within the country’s Hazara community and broader political landscape. His leadership during the communist era remains a subject of discussion among historians and political observers.

His death marks the end of a significant chapter in Afghanistan’s modern political history, as many remember his role in government during one of the country’s most challenging periods.

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