Hashmat Karzai Explained

Hashmat Khan Karzai
Death Date:	July 29, 2014
Death Place:	Karz, Afghanistan
Death Cause:	Suicide bombing
Nationality:	Afghan, American
Occupation:	Businessman, political advisor
Children:	Safiullah Karzai (son) 3 daughters
Parents:	Khalil Karzai
Relatives:	Hamid Karzai (cousin)

Hashmat Khan Karzai was an Afghan-American businessman and political advisor.

Biography

Hashmat Khalil Karzai was born in Afghanistan.^[1] He was a cousin of Afghan President Hamid Karzai.^{[2] [3] [4]} Karzai ran security and construction companies in Afghanistan. He was a powerbroker in the Kandahar Province and was seen as a tribal leader of the Popalzai, a Pashtun tribe. He was a supporter of presidential candidate Ashraf Ghani. Some sources go as far as to call him his "campaign manager." Additionally, he held an American passport.

Personal life

Karzai had a pet lion and smoked cigars.^{[2] [4]} He was called by many in Kandahar as the "Lion of Kandahar".^{[2] [4]}

Death

Hashmat Karzai was killed by a suicide bomber at his private residence in Karz near Kandahar on July 29, 2014.^{[2] [3] [4] [1]}

Notes and References

1. Hashmat Baktash, Bomber who killed Afghan president's cousin hid explosives under cap, The Los Angeles Times,
2. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-28539591 Afghanistan bomber kills president's cousin Hashmat Karzai
3. Margherita Stancati, Powerful Cousin of Afghan President Karzai Killed in Kandahar, The Wall Street Journal, July 29, 2014
4. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jul/29/kandahar-suicide-attack-cousin-afghanistan-president-hamid-karzai Kandahar suicide attack kills cousin of Afghanistan president Hamid Karzai