Ramazan Bashardost

by Tony Cross

Article published on the 2009-08-09 Latest update 2009-08-12 08:20 TU

Ramazan Bashardost
(Photo: Bashardost website)

Ramazan Bashardost, 43, is an ethnic Hazara, standing on a clean government ticket.

1965: Born in Ghazni province.

1978: With a pro-Soviet government riven by faction fights in Kabul, leaves Afghanistan for Iran and then Pakistan.

1983: Moves to France; studies at Toulouse university, briefly works at the embassy in Paris before resigning, accusing the ambassador of failing to respect the national interest and the law.

2002: Returns to Afghanistan.

2004: Appointed Minister of Planning; criticises NGOs for paying large salaries to foreign workers and failing to provide promised benefits to Afghans.

2005: Resigns from government, accusing fellow ministers and provincial governors of corruption and warlordism; stands for parliament, running his campaign from a tent in a Kabul park (see 2006 election report) and riding a bicycle; receives the third highest vote of any candidate.

2009: Stands for President, again running campaign from his tent.