Akhtar Mohammed Paktiawal

1935 - 2018

Akhtar Mohammed Paktiawal, 83, passed away at home on September 21, 2018 surrounded by his loving family. He was born in the village of SaloKhail, in the city of Gardez, in the Paktia Province of Afghanistan; on June 15, 1935 to Esmatullah and Jambegom Paktiawal. Akhtar completed his primary and secondary education in Gardez, Paktia before attending Kabul University of Agriculture. He obtained his BS degree in Agricultural Science in 1958. While attending college, he worked for Morrison-Kundson, an American engineering company, which designed and constructed the Kajaki and Dahla Dams. He was working as a Professor when he was awarded a fully funded scholarship to pursue a Masters degree in the United States. Akhtar graduated with honors from the University of Wyoming with a MS degree in Agricultural Education. After moving back to Afghanistan, he married Zaro on October 21, 1962 and they began their life together.

During his career, Akhtar held many positions including Professor at Kabul University of Agriculture, Principal of the School of Agriculture in Baglan/ Kabul, Director of Agricultural Education in the Ministry of Education (MoE), Director, Vice President and President of Technical and Vocational Education (MoE) as well as Secretary General of the Afghan National Commission for UNESCO. When the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan in 1979, he served as Head of the Delegation of Afghanistan to UNESCO General Conference held in Belgrade, Yugoslavia. During the meeting, Akhtar denounced the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and stood against imposing tyranny and occupying his country. As he addressed world leaders, he urged them to support Afghanistan with the Soviet occupation. Afghanistan will fight forever for freedom and self-determination; we have the right to live and the right to self-determination. His speech jolted the delegates and Akhtar was greeted by wild applause. As a result, UNESCO Director-General Amadou-Mahtar M'Bow immediately requested special protection for him from the Yugoslav authorities. He was not allowed back into his country due to security concerns. However, Akhtar declared he would risk returning to Afghanistan as he would not abandon his wife and children. He was immediately taken to Germany in order to seek political asylum and protection for his family. Meanwhile, H.E. Ambassador Mr. Stossel assisted him in filing for political asylum in the United States.

The U.S. Department of State made arrangements for him and his family within a week. Zaro was one of the bravest women; she escaped from Afghanistan at midnight on a camel with her seven children without incident. With the help of the American government, Akhtar reunited with his family in New York. In 1980, Akhtar was honored with a Freedom Award in Washington, DC. While living in United States, he was a Soil Scientist for the City of Raleigh, North Carolina for twenty years before his retirement on January 1, 2004. In addition, he started his own environmental consulting firm (AECF), served as both President and Board Member for several organizations and always gave back to the community. Akhtar was a loving son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle and friend to all.

He is preceded in death by his father, mother, two brothers, one sister, wife and one son. He is survived by one son, Ahmad Farid; five daughters, Noorya, Noorsama, Soraya, QamerSultan and Hussina; six grandchildren and one great-grandchild. The funeral service will be held on Monday September 24, 2018 from 1:00 - 2:00 PM and the burial service will immediately follow the funeral from 2:00 - 3:00 PM at Raleigh Memorial Park located at 7501 Glenwood Avenue Raleigh, N.C. 27612. Following the service, the family would like to invite friends to join in the celebration of his life; food will be served afterwards. Akhtar always sent money back home to help his country have a better life; therefore, in lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made in his memory to Americans for Permanent Peace in Afghanistan. Please make checks payable to the APPA Foundation, 302 West Lane Street, Raleigh N.C. 27603.