Haji Mohammad Chamkani

Who is Haji Mohammad Chamkani?

Haji Mohammad Chamkani is a politician from Afghanistan who held the post of interim President of Afghanistan during the period of the Soviet-backed Democratic Republic of Afghanistan. Previously, he served as Vice-President under Babrak Karmal's Government.

He reached the position after the resignation of Babrak Karmal. A non-party member, a tribal leader with power and connections in key areas of provinces bordering Pakistan, his influence extended inside Pakistan as well. However, Mohammed Najibullah was in charge of the country, due to his powerful positions of Director of the KHAD and General Secretary of the People's Democratic Party of Afghanistan. It was during his term in office that the USSR indicated willingness to negotiate and remove some troops from Afghanistan. His term was also marked by the creation of a new Constitution.