Zarar Ahmad Muqbel “Osmani”
Minister of Counter Narcotics
Islamic Republic of Afghanistan

Zarar Ahmad Muqbel Osmani was born to an intellectual middle-class family in Khuwaja Sayaran village, Parwan province, Afghanistan in 1964.  Minister Osmani’s father was a highly-regarded parliamentarian during President Dawood’s administration.

Minister Osmani attended the Habibia High School in Kabul and obtained his B.A. degree from the Parwan Pedagogy Institute specializing in math and physics.  Zarar Osmani also attended the Kabul Polytechnic University and continued with his studies until leaving in his final year to return to Parwan Province to become a freedom fighter. In1987, in Parwan Province, he and his family were ambushed by forces of the communist regime resulting in the death of his brother and two other close relatives. Minister Osmani was arrested by the regime forces and sentenced to 20 years in prison, he served 2 years in Pul-I-Charki prison at which point he was part of a prisoner exchange that resulted in his release.  Subsequently, Minister Osmani served as the Deputy Chief of Staff of Ahmad Shah Massod, the legendary Afghan commander and later Afghan Defense Minister.

Minister Osmani not only fought against the Russian invasion of Afghanistan, he also fought for the Afghan people’s freedom against the Taliban government. He was instrumental in helping unite the Northern Alliance.

Zarar Osmani served as Chief of Police of Parwan province and in 2003, as result of intensive local support and increased popularity, President Karzai appointed him as the Governor of Parwan province. Minister Osmani continues to be a  key political leader in bringing stability and increased well-being to the people of Parwan. Minister Osmani enjoys a reputation as a man of the people who stands for justice and the rights and protection of the most vulnerable in Afghan society. He has the unwavering loyalty of the people of Parwan and has earned a nation-wide reputation as a leader.

In 2005, Minister Osmani was appointed as a Deputy Minister of Interior. Under his leadership, he reformed police recruitment and dramatically improved the capacity of the national police. From 2006 to 2008, Minister Osmani served as the Minister of Interior. During his tenure, police officers increased from 60,000 to 110,000 and he worked diligently to make the national police true servants and protectors of the public. A number of new institutions and programs initiated under his leadership remain and are helping the Afghan police operate as a professional force.

In 2009, Zarar Osmani was appointed Minister of Counter Narcotics.  During his confirmation, he received the highest ever number of confidence votes from the Afghan National Parliament.  Minister Osmani’s priority continues to be preparing Afghanistan for challenges that lie ahead, especially post-2014. As a result, MCN has a 5 year strategic plan to address future challenges including specific policies targeting high-value drug traffickers, providing sustainable alternative livelihoods to Afghan farmers and responding to the challenge of drug addiction in Afghanistan.

The Ministry of Counter Narcotics has become a more competent, professional organization under his leadership and continues to grow in its capacity to deal with the challenges it faces. Zarar Ahmad Muqbel Osmani is married and has two sons and two daughters.