Abdul Qayum Karzai, brother of former Afghan President Hamid Karzai, passed away yesterday (Thursday) at the age of 77 in the state of Maryland, USA.
He was born in 1957 in the village of Karz in Kandahar. Abdul Qayum's father, Abdul Ahad Karzai, was an influential tribal elder and served in the National Assembly of Afghanistan during the reign of King Zahir Shah.
Shahzada Masoud, a close associate of Abdul Qayum Karzai, said: "As far as I know, Qayum Khan Karzai, for the past four decades, was a person who frequently traveled from the United States to his country and made significant efforts to bring lasting peace and stability to this nation."
Abdul Qayum Karzai completed his primary education at Mirwais Khan Nika School in the village of Karz, Kandahar, and then studied political science and economics in the United States.
Abdul Qayum Karzai was one of the figures who participated in the Bonn Conference in 2001.
In 1384 (solar year), Karzai was elected as the representative of the people of Kandahar in the Wolesi Jirga; however, he later resigned from this position by his own decision.
He was also a candidate in the 1393 (solar year) Afghan presidential elections.
Several political figures in the country, including Abdullah Abdullah, the former Chairman of the High Council for National Reconciliation, expressed condolences over Abdul Qayum Karzai's death and added that Mr. Karzai was a patriotic man.
Nemat Hanif, a poet and writer, said: "The family was very good and dedicated to serving our country. They always thought about how to serve the country in various ways and means."
Abdul Qayum Karzai, the elder brother of former President Hamid Karzai, passed away on Thursday, at the age of 77 due to illness in the state of Maryland, USA.
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