Kandahār is one of the thirty-four provinces of Afghanistan, located in the southern part of the country, sharing a border with Pakistan, to the south. It is surrounded by Helmand in the west, Uruzgan in the north and Zabul Province in the east. Its capital is the city of Kandahar, Afghanistan's second largest city, which is located on the Arghandab River. The greater region surrounding the province is called Loy Kandahar. The Emir of Afghanistan sends orders to Kabul from Kandahar making it the de facto capital of Afghanistan, although the main government body operates in Kabul. All meetings with the Emir take place in Kandahar, meetings excluding the Emir are in Kabul.
Parliamentary elections were held in Afghanistan alongside provincial elections on 18 September 2005. Former warlords and their followers gained the majority of seats in both the lower house and the provincial council. Women won 28% of the seats in the lower house, six more than the 25% guaranteed in the 2004 constitution.
Mullah Obaidullah the Akhund was the Defence Minister in the Afghan Taliban government of 1996–2001 and then an insurgent commander during the Taliban insurgency against the Afghan government of Hamid Karzai and the US-led NATO forces. He was captured by Pakistani security forces in 2007 and died of heart disease in a Pakistani prison in 2010.
Mohammad Yousef Pashtun is an Afghan technocrat and politician. He served as Minister of Urban Development and Housing for two terms and as Governor of Kandahar province in 2003, replacing Gul Agha Sherzai under President Hamid Karzai's administration. In 2010, he was appointed as Senior Adviser to President Karzai on Construction, Mines, Water & Energy. In 2014, minister Pashtun continued to serve as Senior Adviser to President Ashraf Ghani. Yِousef Pashtun is also chairing the Kabul New City Development Authority Board.
Abdul Qayum Karzai or Qayyum Karzai is businessman and politician in Afghanistan. He is the elder brother of former President Hamid Karzai. His brothers also include the controversial Mahmoud Karzai and the assassinated Ahmed Wali Karzai, both embroiled by allegations of widespread corruption in Afghanistan and other serious charges. Abdul Qayum was a businessman in the United States before entering into Afghan politics. He served as a member of the Wolesi Jirga, the lower house of the National Assembly of Afghanistan. He retired due to health reasons and "reportedly been involved in back-channel peace diplomacy with the Taliban through Saudi Arabia."
Malali Ishaqzai was elected to represent Kandahar Province in Afghanistan's Wolesi Jirga, the lower house of its National Legislature, in 2005. A report on Kandahar prepared at the Navy Postgraduate School stated she was a high school graduate. She serves on the Legislature's Government Services Committee.
Hajji Ahmad Shah Khan Asakzai احمد شاه خان اچکزی was elected to represent Kandahar Province in Afghanistan's Wolesi Jirga, the lower house of its National Legislature, in 2005. A report on Kandahar prepared at the Navy Postgraduate School stated he is from the Pashtun ethnic group. He is a tribal elder from Spin Boldak, who sits on the Armed Service Committee.
Hajji Ameer Lali امیر لالی was elected to represent Kandahar Province in Afghanistan's Wolesi Jirga, the lower house of its National Legislature, in 2005. A report on Kandahar prepared at the Navy Postgraduate School stated he was a member of the Pashtun ethnic group, from the same Popolzai tribe as President Hamid Karzai. They stated he was a "demobilized local commander". He sits on the Armed Services Committee.
Fariba Ahmadi Kakar was elected to represent Kandahar Province in Afghanistan's Wolesi Jirga, the lower house of its National Legislature, in 2005. Born in 1965 in Kandahar, a report on Kandahar prepared at the Navy Postgraduate School stated she was a "self-educated teacher" and a member of the Pashtun ethnic group. She sits on the Communications Committee. In August 2013, while travelling with her children in Gazni, Afghanistan, she was kidnapped by the Taliban who demanded the release of four Taliban prisoners in exchange for the release of Mrs Kakar. On 8 September 2013, she was freed in return for the release of several family members of Taliban fighters held in captivity.
Habibullah Jan was an Afghan warlord who was elected to represent Kandahar Province in Afghanistan's Wolesi Jirga, the lower house of its National Legislature, in 2005. He was a member of the Alizai tribe. He sat on the "Kandahar Security Shura". He was a "sometimes rival of [President] Karzai", according to a report prepared at the Navy Postgraduate School. Karzai created the Zhari District out of parts of Maywand and Panjwai districts in 2004 as reward for Habibullah Jan helping defeat the Taliban in Kandahar.
Khalid Pashtoon was elected to represent Kandahar Province in Afghanistan's Wolesi Jirga, the lower house of its National Legislature, in 2005. He is a member of the Pashtun ethnic group from the Barakzai tribe. A report on Kandahar prepared at the Navy Postgraduate School stated he attended the University of Southern California. His Toupee sits on the Internal Security Committee as its deputy chair. He is a former aide to Gul Agha Sherzai.
Mohammad Arif Noorzai was a former minister of Border and Tribe Affairs for Afghanistan. He was elected to represent Kandahar Province in Afghanistan's Wolesi Jirga, the lower house of its National Legislature, in 2005. He is the first deputy speaker of Afghanistan Wolesi Jirga and his current position is the Advisor of President Hamid Karzai for security and tribal affairs He is a member of the Pashtun ethnic group, and the Noorzai tribe. A report on Kandahar prepared at the Navy Postgraduate School stated he is first deputy speaker, and that he is related to President Hamid Karzai through marriage, and that he is a high school graduate.
Shakiba Matin Hashemi is an Afghani politician who was elected to represent Kandahar Province in Afghanistan's Wolesi Jirga, the lower house of its National Legislature, in 2005.
Mullah Sayyad Mohammad was selected to represent Kandahar Province in Afghanistan's Meshrano Jirga, the upper house of its National Legislature, in 2005. He is a member of the Pashtun ethnic group from the Barakzai tribe. A report on Kandahar prepared at the Navy Postgraduate School stated he is from the "Payam-e-Solh political faction". It states he sits on the armed services committee. It states he has a bachelor's degree.
Mohammad Omar Shairzaad was selected to represent Kandahar Province in Afghanistan's Meshrano Jirga, the upper house of its National Legislature, in 2005. A report on Kandahar prepared at the Navy Postgraduate School stated he is from the "head of the Esteqlal (Independence) movement". It states he sits on the Petitions Committee. It states he has a bachelor's degree.
Gul Haar Jalal was elected to represent Kandahar Province in Afghanistan's Wolesi Jirga, the lower house of its National Legislature, in 2005. A report on Kandahar prepared at the Navy Postgraduate School stated she is a member of the Pashtun ethnic group, from Nurhar district. It stated that prior to her election she had been the head of an orphanage. It stated that she sat on the Disabled and Martyrs Committee. It stated she was a widow whose husband was assassinated. It stated that she was a high school graduate, who once traveled to Paris.
Sahira Sharif is an Afghan politician who was elected to represent Khost Province in Afghanistan's Wolesi Jirga, the lower house of its National Legislature, in 2005.
Hameedullah Khan Tokhi was elected to represent Zabul Province in Afghanistan's Wolesi Jirga, the lower house of its National Legislature, in 2005.
Toorpekai was elected to represent Zabul Province in Afghanistan's Wolesi Jirga, the lower house of its National Legislature, in 2005.
Jamil Karzai Born Kandahar 1976 age 46.He was elected to represent Kabul Province in Afghanistan's Wolesi Jirga, the lower house of its National Legislature, in 2005. A report on Kabul prepared at the Navy Postgraduate School stated Jamil Karzai is a second cousin to President Hamid Karzai, President of Afghanistan. It stated he was head of the National Youth Solidarity Party. It stated he sat on the Internal Security Committee.
