Early Life and Education

Mr. Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, one of Afghanistan’s most controversial and enduring political figures, was born in 1947 in Imam Sahib District of Kunduz Province, though his family roots were in Baghlan and he belonged to the Pashtun Kharoti tribe. He studied engineering at Kabul University, where he became politically active in the 1960s. Initially drawn to Islamist ideology influenced by Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood, he was involved in student movements opposed to communism and secularism. His aggressive activism led to his arrest, and after being released, he fled to Pakistan where his political and militant career accelerated.

Formation of Hezb-e Islami and Anti-Soviet Struggle

In the early 1970s, Hekmatyar co-founded Hezb-e Islami (Islamic Party of Afghanistan), a radical Islamist movement aiming to replace Afghanistan’s monarchy and secular elites with an Islamic government. During the Soviet invasion in 1979, he emerged as one of the most prominent Mujahideen commanders fighting Soviet forces. Hezb-e Islami received vast support from the United States, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan’s ISI, making Hekmatyar a powerful and well-equipped leader.

Despite being a key player in the resistance, Hekmatyar refused to cooperate with other Mujahideen factions and often fought rival groups more than the common Soviet enemy. His uncompromising attitude and ambition for personal power sowed deep divisions within the anti-Soviet resistance.

Post-Soviet Civil War and Prime Ministership

After the fall of the PDPA regime in 1992, Hekmatyar refused to accept the presidency of Burhanuddin Rabbani and began attacking Kabul in an effort to claim power. His faction launched heavy shelling campaigns on the capital, resulting in tens of thousands of civilian casualties. For this, many Afghans hold him responsible for turning a victory into prolonged civil war.

Despite intense conflict, a power-sharing arrangement brought Hekmatyar into the government, and he served briefly as Prime Minister in 1993 and again in 1996. However, the agreements failed, and his rivalry with other leaders like Ahmad Shah Massoud continued to destabilize the country. His aggressive tactics contributed to the weakening of the Islamic State of Afghanistan and paved the way for the Taliban’s rise.

Exile and Continued Insurgency

After the Taliban took control of Kabul in 1996, Hekmatyar fled to Iran and maintained a low profile for several years. Following the 2001 U.S.-led invasion of Afghanistan, he opposed both the Taliban and the U.S.-backed Afghan government. He declared armed jihad against foreign troops and was designated a global terrorist by the United States.

Peace Agreement and Return to Politics

In a surprising turn, Hekmatyar signed a peace agreement with the Afghan government in 2016. He returned to Kabul in 2017 under the agreement, which included amnesty and the reintegration of his party into Afghan political life. He participated in later elections and remained active in Afghan politics, advocating for Islamic governance and national unity.

Legacy

Gulbuddin Hekmatyar’s legacy is highly divisive. To some, he is a staunch nationalist and defender of Islamic values. To others, he is a ruthless warlord responsible for massive destruction and civilian suffering. His life and career reflect the turbulence, factionalism, and foreign entanglements that have defined Afghanistan’s modern history.