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Abdul ZahirAfghan statesman
Date of Birth: 23.05.1910
Country:  Afghanistan |
Content:
Early Life and Education
Muhammad Musa Shafiq was born in Kabul, Afghanistan, and graduated from the prestigious Habibia High School in 1931. He then pursued a medical degree from Columbia University in the United States, where he obtained his doctorate in medicine. In 1954-1955, he further specialized in statistics and administration at Johns Hopkins University, earning a Master's degree.
Career in Government
Shafiq began his career in public service in 1944 as the Director of the Municipal Hospital in Kabul. He later became the personal physician to King Zahir Shah in 1949 and was appointed Deputy Minister of Health in 1951. In 1956, he rose to the position of Minister of Health in the government of Muhammad Daoud.
Shafiq's political career continued to flourish with his appointment as Ambassador to Pakistan in 1958. In 1961, he assumed the role of Speaker of the Lower House of Parliament. He also served as Chairman of the Constitutional Commission in 1964 and Deputy Chairman of the Loya Jirga, the body that adopted the new Constitution of Afghanistan.
Prime Minister of Afghanistan
In June 1971, Shafiq was appointed Prime Minister of Afghanistan. However, his tenure was marked by economic challenges due to drought, student protests, and escalating conflicts between the government and parliament. Unable to resolve these issues, the government resigned in December 1972.
Later Career and Family
Following his premiership, Shafiq served as Ambassador to Italy in 1969 and India in 1973. After the monarchy was overthrown in 1973, he retired from government service.
Shafiq's family included four children. His brother, Abdul-l-Qayyum, was a prominent politician who held various ministerial posts, including Minister of Education. His sons, Ahmad Zahir and Asef Zahir, became notable figures in the entertainment and political spheres, respectively.
