Mohammed Hashim Watanwal

Hasham Watanwal
Born1952
Died(2011-07-17)July 17, 2011
Kabul
NationalityAfghan
OccupationWolesi Jirga representative

Hasham Watanwal was a representative for Uruzgan Province to Afghanistan's national legislature, the Wolesi Jirga, until his assassination in a Taliban attack in Kabul on July 17, 2011.[1][2][3][4]

According to the Afghan Biographies profile, during the communist era he was Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs.[3][4] According to the profile, he is from the Tajik ethnic group, and graduated from Kabul University with a science degree.

Post-Taliban political career

Watanwal was elected to the Wolesi Jirga in 2005 and 2010.[5][6]

In 2007, Watanwal hosted a press conference to draw attention to security concerns in Uruzgan.[7] He asserted that "anti-government elements" controlled all of Gizab district and "vast swathes" of Char Chino, Dehrawod, Chora and Khas Uruzgan. Watanwal attributed the rise of militancy in Uruzgan to ISAF's reckless disregard for civilian lives.[8]

In March 2011, Watanwal was selected to be the Deputy Chair of the Wolsi Jirga's Defence And Territorial Affairs Committee.[9]

In May 2011, he was one of the hosts for a delegation of visiting Australian Parliamentarians.[10]

References

  1. ^ Joshua Foust (2007-05-14). "It Isn't At All Clear". Registan. Archived from the original on 2011-09-29. Retrieved 2011-07-19. For example, Hasham Watanwal, the representative of Uruzgan province in the Wolesi Jirga, claims his province is 90% under Taliban control. He blames this on—you guessed it—underinvestment, underdevelopment, and a sloppy western military.
  2. ^ "Karzai Aide Assassins Had Contacts with Pakistan: Interior Minister". Tolo News. 2011-07-19. Archived from the original on 2011-07-22. Retrieved 2011-07-19.
  3. ^ a b "Afghan Biographies: Mohammed Hasham Watanwal". Afghan Biographies. 2010. Archived from the original on 2012-03-23. Retrieved 2011-07-19.
  4. ^ a b "Senior Karzai aide killed in Kabul attack". Al Jazeera. 2011-07-17. Archived from the original on 2011-07-20. Retrieved 2011-07-20.
  5. ^ "2005 Uruzgan Wolesi Jirga Results by Ballot Order". Joint Electoral Management Body. Archived from the original on 2011-10-08. Retrieved 2011-07-19.
  6. ^ "Uruzgan 2010 Wolesi Jirga Elections". National Democratic Institute. Archived from the original on 2012-03-25. Retrieved 2011-07-19.
  7. ^ "MPs, police at odds over security situation in Uruzgan". Online News. 2007. Archived from the original on 2012-03-22. Retrieved 2011-07-19. Speaking at a press conference, Wolesi Jirga member from Uruzgan Muhammad Hashim Watanwal claimed anti-government elements were in control of Gizab district of the province.
  8. ^ "Militants recruiting youths in Uruzgan: MP". Pajhwok Afghan News. 2007-07-30. Archived from the original on 2012-03-28. Retrieved 2011-07-20. The youngsters were turning to Taliban, the legislator charged, because of imprecise airstrikes by foreign forces that caused civilian casualties and fuelled public anger.
  9. ^ "Legislative Newsletter" (PDF). USAID. 2011-03-18. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-07-20. Retrieved 2011-07-19.
  10. ^ "Deputy-Speaker of Wolesi Jirga meets with Australian Parliamentary Delegation". Wolesi Jirga. 2011-05-18. Archived from the original on 2012-03-23. The meeting was attended by Fawzia Kofi, the Chairwoman of Women Affairs Commission and Mohammad Hashim Watanwal- the deputy of Defense Affairs Commission.