Muhammad Umar Babrakzai

Muhammad Umar Babrakzai (fl. 1980 – present) is the tribal chief of the Zadran tribe and Afghan jurist.

Muhammad Umar Babrakzai
محمد عمر ببرکزی
Babrakzai in 1983
Tribal chief of the Zadran tribe
Incumbent
Assumed office before 1980
Preceded by	Unknown, possibly Abdulla Khan Jadran Yawan
Supreme Court justice
In office c. 1960/70s – before 1979

Background and early life

Babrakzai is the grandson of Babrak Khan, a previous Zadran chieftain who died in 1924 or 1925, though it's unclear through what father.^[1]

It is unknown who preceded Babrakzai as chieftain. It was possibly Abdulla Khan Jadran Yawan, who was chieftain as of 1969,^[2] although it's unclear if Babrakzai was Abdulla's immediate successor or if someone else was chieftain between them.

At some point, Babrakzai moved to France where he received an education. Upon returning to Afghanistan, he became part of Kingdom of Afghanistan's elite. At some point after King Mohammed Zahir Shah initiated a period of democratic reforms with the 1964 constitution, Babrakzai served as Supreme Court justice.^[3][4]

Tribal chief

Babrakzai attending a meeting with Ronald Reagan in 1983.

Babrakzai opposed the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979. The authors of Out of Afghanistan describe him as being the "prime mover" of the initial Afghan resistance, due to him forming a "national council" to map out an Afghan response.^[5] He joined the National Islamic Front of Afghanistan,^[4] became the chairman of a pro-resistance loya jirga, and also organized a jirga in Peshawar. In addition, Babrakzai maintained contacts with France during this period, and helped French activists to set up a International People's Tribunal in Paris.^[3]

Babrakzai continued to resist the Soviets during the rest of the Soviet–Afghan War. In 1983, he attended a meeting with US president Ronald Reagan.^[6] An image of this meeting later became an internet meme, where Babrakzai and other members of the meeting were falsely described as Taliban officials, even though the Taliban had not been formed yet by that time.^[7] Despite his regional influence, however, Babrakzai had little control over the militants in his tribal territories, over whom Jalaluddin Haqqani gained more control.^[3]

Babrakzai continues to be tribal chief as of 2019.^[8]

Family

Mazar Khan[9] fl. late 19th century

Babrak Khan d. October 1924

Khan Muhammad[10]

Mazrak Zadran fl. 1900s – 1972

Sayyid Akbar Babrak[11] b. 1921 or 1922 d. 16 Oct 1951

Sher Muhd Khan[12] fl. 1924 – 1947

Izmair[13] fl. 1924 – 1945

5 or 14 others[note 1]

Dilawar Khan[17] b. 1939 or 1940

Muhammad Umar Babrakzai[note 2] fl. 1980

1. Sources disagree how many sons Babrak had - Jamna Das Akhtar states that Babrak had 18 sons,^[14] while a Pakistani government inquiry titled The Assassination of Mr. Liaquat Ali Khan states that Babrak had 9 sons.^[15] David B. Edwards states that Babrak had 2 sons,^[16] but this appears to be false, as at least 4 of his son's names are known.
2. Muhammad Umar Babrakzai was Babrak Khan's grandchild^[18] although it's unclear through what father.