Hekmatyar (Gulbuddin Hekmatyar)

Gulbuddin Hekmatyar is an Afghan politician and militant who was a prominent leader during the Afghan-Soviet war in the 1980s. He founded the Hezb-e-Islami party and was known for his Islamist ideology. His fighting against Soviet forces and later involvement in Afghanistan’s civil conflicts made him a significant—and controversial—figure in the country’s modern history. After years of conflict, he eventually entered politics and signed peace agreements, aiming to help Afghanistan stabilize. Hekmatyar’s influence is complex, reflecting Afghanistan’s ongoing struggles with war, foreign intervention, and attempts at peace.