Afghan Biographies
Barakzai, Haji Mohammad Akbar
Name | Barakzai, Haji Mohammad Akbar |
Ethnic backgr. | Pashtun |
Date of birth | |
Function/Grade | ex Minister |
History and Biodata |
2. Previous Functions of Haji Mohammad Akbar Barakzai:
3.Biodata: Haji Akbar Barakzai replaces Wahidullah Shahrani as Minister for Mines and Industries (who reigned to run as first deputy to Qayyum Karzai in the Presidential Elections 2014) Barakzai has not developed a high profile so far, although he has worked as deputy in the ministry of light industries under Nurzai (2002-2003), as governor of his home province, Baghlan (2008-2010) and Deputy Minister of Public Works. He has a Hezb-e Islami background. His brother, Dr Ismael, a major commander in the province, was killed in the early 1990s and he himself has enjoyed the patronage of two major Hizb-e Islami figures, the key northern Pashtun Karzai ally, Juma Khan Hamdard (currently governor of Paktia) and the advisor to the president on tribal affairs and former Hezb-e Islami deputy leader, Waheedullah Sabawoon.
The ministry of mines, given the size of the contracts it negotiates and the income it may well, eventually, bring into the country, is hugely important to Afghanistan. It is also prone to corruption. This will be a difficult brief, given that the two largest mining projects in the country, for copper and iron ores, are under review on the initiative of the Indian and Chinese state-owned companies/consortiums who won, variously, the contracts.
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Last Modified | 2015-01-29 |
Established | 2009-10-10 |