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Shah DostAfghan statesman and diplomat.
Country:
 Afghanistan |
Content:
- Early Life and Education
- Political Beginnings
- Diplomatic Career
- Foreign Minister under Karmal
- Post-Ministerial Roles
- Personal Life
Early Life and Education
Abdul Wakil Dost was born into a modest family in Afghanistan, the son of Dost Mohammad. Of Pashtun ethnicity, Dost completed his education at the prestigious Habibia High School in Kabul and then went on to study law at Kabul University, graduating in 1956.
Political Beginnings
During his university days, Dost befriended Babrak Karmal, who would later become the leader of Afghanistan in the early 1980s. They were also related by marriage, as Dost's daughter married Karmal's half-brother. Dost's family consisted of three sons and a daughter.
Diplomatic Career
After the 1978 Saur Revolution, Dost was appointed First Deputy Foreign Minister. However, his professional diplomacy was not initially appreciated by Hafizullah Amin, who considered him "insufficiently ideologically tempered."
Foreign Minister under Karmal
Following the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, Dost became Foreign Minister in Babrak Karmal's government on December 28, 1979. He also became a member of the Central Committee of the People's Democratic Party of Afghanistan (PDPA) and the Revolutionary Council.
Post-Ministerial Roles
On December 5, 1986, Dost was relieved of his ministerial duties after Karmal was removed from power. Nevertheless, his dismissal was honorable, and he continued to serve in various high-level positions, including State Minister for Foreign Affairs (1986-1988), Minister Without Portfolio (1988-1989), and Permanent Representative of Afghanistan to the UN (1986-1989).
Personal Life
Despite his political prominence, Dost was known for his modesty and simplicity. He lived with his family in a humble four-room apartment in a five-story building.
