Hashmat Karzai


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

Biography

Early life

Hashmat Khalil Karzai was born in Afghanistan. He was a cousin of Afghan President Hamid Karzai.

Career

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. He was called by many in Kandahar as the "Lion of Kandahar".

Death

Hashmat Karzai was killed by a suicide bomber at his private residence in Karz near Kandahar on July 29, 2014.