1947- . Afghan communist politician, a member
of the Politburo from 1981, and leader of the
ruling People's Democratic Party of
Afghanistan (PDPA) from 1986, later state
president. His attempts to broaden the
support of the PDPA regime had little
success, but his government survived the
withdrawal of Soviet troops Feb 1989. A
Pusthtun (Pathan), Najibullah joined the
communist PDPA 1965, allying with its
gradualist Parcham (banner) faction, and was
twice imprisoned for anti-government
political activities during the 1960s and
1970s. After the Soviet invasion Dec 1979,
Najibullah became head of the KHAD secret
police and entered the PDPA Politburo 1981.
He replaced Babrak Karmal as leader of the
PDPA, and thus the nation, May 1986. His hold
on power became imperilled 1989 following the
withdrawal of the Soviet military forces.