Abdul Qadir Fitrat, Former Afghan Central Bank Governor, Dies at 61

Abdul Qadir Fitrat, a stalwart economist who ascended to the helm of Afghanistan’s central bank and later lived in exile after exposing deep corruption within the country’s financial system, died on April 28, 2024, in Northern Virginia. He was 61. His death, from cancer, was confirmed by his family within the vibrant Afghan-American community where he had resided in his final years.

Mr. Fitrat’s journey from the classrooms of the International Islamic University in Islamabad, where he was not only a peer but a beacon of integrity and intellect, to the corridors of power in war-torn Afghanistan, paints a portrait of a man whose life was as fraught with challenges as it was crowned with significant achievements. His former classmates (including this writer) recall a figure of immense moral clarity and dedication—an individual who believed fervently in the transformative power of economics.

Born in the scenic but rugged terrains of Badakhshan Province, Afghanistan, Mr. Fitrat was an ethnic Tajik who received his early education in his homeland before moving to Pakistan. There, at the International Islamic University, he earned his economics degree, a foundation that would underpin a career characterized by both courage and controversy. He went on to further his academic pursuits in the United States, where he earned a master’s degree from Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio, before embarking on a career that would see him work at the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.

The Tragedy of Kabul Bank

The Tragedy of Kabul Bank, a phenomenal book written by Mr. Abdul Qadir Fitrat, is the story of massive fraud, deception, and betrayal by a group of crony capitalists aided and abetted by the then-highest political authorities of Afghanistan.

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In 2007, Abdul’s profound commitment to his country saw him ascend to the role of governor of Da Afghanistan Bank during Afghanistan’s tumultuous times. His tenure was a testament to his relentless drive for reform and transparency, qualities that earned him both respect and resistance. His courage peaked during the 2010 Kabul Bank scandal when he fearlessly exposed corruption that ran through the top tiers of society and government, which he later chronicled in his impactful book, “The Tragedy of Kabul Bank.” The threats that followed forced him into a life of exile in the United States in 2011, a move that grieved him but never silenced his resolve.

The pinnacle of his career, however, also set the stage for its most dramatic turn. During the Kabul Bank scandal in 2010, he publicly exposed fraudulent practices involving hundreds of millions of dollars—a revelation that implicated some of the highest echelons of Afghan society and government. This act of defiance ultimately led to his exile after threats to his life became untenable, forcing him to flee to the United States in 2011.

While living in Northern Virginia, a hub for the Afghan diaspora, Mr. Fitrat did not fade into the background of academic and policy discussions on Afghanistan’s future. Instead, he remained a vocal proponent of fiscal integrity and governance reforms. His home became a gathering place for many from the Afghan community and beyond who were eager to hear his insights or seek his mentorship.

Mr. Fitrat’s commitment to Afghanistan’s economic independence was paralleled by his dedication to his family. Described by those close to him as a deeply devoted family man, he was especially committed to his children’s education and well-being, embodying the roles of both mentor and protector.

Abdul Qadir Fitrat is survived by his family, who remember him not only for his public deeds and professional rigor but also for his profound personal warmth and unwavering ethical compass. His legacy, complex and marked by both achievements and adversities, offers a narrative of a life dedicated to the service of his country and the betterment of its people.

His story—of intellect, integrity, and the indomitable pursuit of truth—will continue to inspire those who knew him and those who will come to know him through the enduring impact of his work and the lasting imprint of his moral courage.