Abdul Soraby Afghan statesman, economist. Date of Birth: 02.04.1926 Country: Afghanistan

1. Afghani Statesman and Economist
2. Early Life and Education
3. Academic Career
4. Government Service
5. Collaboration with the PDPA Regime
6. Advisor and Senior Government Official
7. High-Level Positions
8. Post-PDPA Era
9. Personal Life

Afghani Statesman and Economist

Mohammed Karim Khalili is an Afghan statesman and economist of Hazara ethnicity.

Early Life and Education

Born in Kabul, Khalili graduated from Nejat Lycee in Kabul with a focus on German language studies. He later obtained a doctorate in economics (1956) from the Vienna School of World Trade (now Vienna University of Economics and Business).

Academic Career

Khalili began his career as a visiting lecturer at the Vienna School of Trade (1958-1960). Upon his return to Afghanistan, he joined Kabul University, serving as a professor, dean of the Faculty of Economics, and pro-vice-chancellor (1961-1967).

Government Service

In 1967, Khalili entered government as a minister without portfolio, overseeing the Ministry of Mines and Industries. He subsequently served as Minister of Planning from 1969 to 1973 under Prime Ministers Nur Ahmad Etemadi, Abdul Zahir, and Mohammad Musa Shafiq.

Collaboration with the PDPA Regime

After the overthrow of the monarchy in 1973, Khalili withdrew from government and worked as an accounting advisor in Kabul. He maintained close ties with the People's Democratic Party of Afghanistan (PDPA) regime, although he never became a party member.

Advisor and Senior Government Official

From 1980, Khalili held various advisory positions within the government, including as an advisor to the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Higher and Secondary Education. In January 1985, he became an advisor to the Council of Ministers and later became Minister without Portfolio for Cultural and Social Affairs (1985-1987).

High-Level Positions

Khalili's career reached its peak in the late 1980s and early 1990s. He served as a member of the Revolutionary Council and Deputy Chairman of the Central Council of Hazara Workers (1986-1988). He held the positions of Minister of Higher and Secondary Education (1987-1988) and Vice-President of Afghanistan (1988-1990), overseeing economic, scientific, and social development.

Post-PDPA Era

Following the fall of the PDPA regime in 1992, Khalili formed alliances with mujahideen leaders. He served as Minister of Commerce in the transitional government (1992-1993) and joined the Islamic Unity Party of Afghanistan, which represented the interests of the Hazara community.

Personal Life

Khalili's daughter, Habiba Sarabi, is a prominent Afghan politician who has served as Minister for Women's Affairs (2002) and Governor of Bamyan Province (2005), becoming the first female governor in Afghanistan.