Bios of Other Presidential Candidates
Originally from Herat, Ismail Qasemyar is a constitutional specialist educated in Kabul. He has taken part in the making of the 1964 (royal) and 1976 (republican) constitutions. Mr. Qasemyar remained in Kabul during the Soviet-backed communist regime and only left Kabul for Iran during the civil war ensuing Mujaheddin’s take over.
Ismail Qasemyar was appointed by Karzai to head the commission tasked with the preparation of the “Emergency Loya Jirga” of June 2002. He subsequently was selected to be the chairman of the afore-mentioned gathering. His tenure as the chairperson of the Emergency Loya Jirga drew some criticism from participants and observers alike, blaming him for being unable to control the debates. The Emergency Loya Jirga itself was criticized for lacking of transparency in the way delegates had been elected and in the way proceedings were conducted, allowing major decisions to be reached “outside the tent”.
At this time, we do not have any knowledge of what his political platform
for the presidential race may be?