Early Life and Education

Sultan Ali Keshtmand, a key Afghan politician during the communist era, was born in 1935 in Kabul into a Hazara family. As a member of a historically marginalized ethnic minority, he broke barriers by entering national politics. He studied economics at Kabul University and later pursued advanced training in the Soviet Union. There, he embraced Marxist-Leninist ideology, which heavily influenced his political orientation. His education and ideological grounding prepared him for a central role in Afghanistan’s leftist movement.

Involvement in the PDPA and Early Political Career

In 1965, Keshtmand co-founded the People’s Democratic Party of Afghanistan (PDPA), a Marxist-Leninist party that would later reshape Afghan politics. He aligned with the Parcham (“Banner”) faction, which pushed for moderate socialist reforms, unlike the more radical Khalq (“Masses”) faction.

That same year, Keshtmand won a seat in parliament, becoming one of the few Hazara politicians to achieve such status. He actively supported economic and social reforms and spoke out for equality. However, after Mohammed Daoud Khan seized power in a 1973 coup and cracked down on leftists, the government arrested and imprisoned Keshtmand along with several PDPA leaders.

Return to Power After the Saur Revolution

In April 1978, the PDPA overthrew President Daoud in the Saur Revolution. The new communist regime gave Keshtmand a prominent post, but the ruling Khalq faction soon purged him and other Parcham members. Authorities imprisoned him once again.

When the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan in December 1979 and removed Hafizullah Amin, they installed Babrak Karmal of the Parcham faction as president. Karmal released Keshtmand from prison and brought him back into the government. Keshtmand then served as Minister of Planning and eventually became Chairman of the Council of Ministers (Prime Minister) from 1981 to 1989, and briefly again in 1990.

Role as Prime Minister

As Prime Minister, Keshtmand oversaw economic planning and development during one of the most unstable periods in Afghan history. He worked closely with Soviet advisors to implement centralized planning, expand agriculture, and develop infrastructure. However, the ongoing Mujahideen insurgency and Afghanistan’s increasing reliance on Soviet support limited his effectiveness.

Keshtmand’s position also carried symbolic importance. As a Hazara, he promoted ethnic inclusivity in government and advocated for greater recognition of Afghanistan’s diverse population. He helped shift political discourse in a country long dominated by Pashtun elites.

Post-Regime Life and Legacy

After the PDPA regime collapsed in 1992, Keshtmand fled the country and later settled in Europe. From exile, he continued his political engagement, particularly by defending Hazara rights and condemning the Mujahideen and Taliban for persecuting minorities.

Legacy

Sultan Ali Keshtmand remains a complex and debated figure in Afghan history. Although he was part of a Soviet-aligned regime, many remember him as a competent administrator and one of the first high-ranking Hazara leaders in Afghan politics. His legacy reflects his resilience, commitment to ethnic equality, and the immense challenges of leading during war and foreign occupation.