Background
Dostum, Abdul Rashid was born in 1954 in Khowja Dokoh, Juzjan Province, Afghanistan.
Dostum, Abdul Rashid was born in 1954 in Khowja Dokoh, Juzjan Province, Afghanistan.
Former plumber; with Oil and Gas Exploration Enterprise, 1979. Undertook military training in Soviet Union, 1980. Commander pro-Soviet Jozjani Dostrum Militia, North Afghanistan, 1980—1992.
Defense minister President Najibullah's Government, 1986—1992. Allied with Gulbuddin Hekmatyar's Pashtun warriors and Shi'a guerrillas following transition of power, 1992. Established Itehad Shamal/Northern Unity organic to control most North Afghanistan provinces, 1993—1997.
Fled to Turkey during Taliban occupation of Mazar-i-Sharif, 1997. Returned to fight Taliban with Northern Alliance, 2001. Deputy minister Defense, 2001—2004.
Presidential candidate, 2004. Chief of staff to Commander-in-Chief of Armed Forces, since 2005. Former leader of Junbesh-i Melli-i (National Islamic Movement), Uzbek military wing of Northern Alliance.
Founder Balkh Air airlines.