Afghan Social Democratic Party (Afghan Mellat)
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The Afghan Social Democratic Party (Afghan Mellat) (Pashto: افغان ټولنپاک ولسواک گوند) is a nationalist and social democratic political party in Afghanistan. The party was founded by Ghulam Mohammad Farhad in March 1966. It is based amongst the Pashtun people, and initially it favoured the idea of a 'Greater Afghanistan' (including the Pashtun parts of Pakistan into Afghanistan). It was called 'fascist' by its critics.[1]
In the 1969 parliamentary elections, Farhad was elected to the parliament.[1]
After the Saur Revolution in 1978, the party was banned. Farhad was imprisoned, but released in 1980.
In exile in Pakistan, the party operated under the auspices of the National Islamic Front of Afghanistan. The present leader of the party, Anwar-ul-Haq Ahady, is the son-in-law of the NIFA leader Pir Gailani.[1]
In 1986-1987, dialogues were taking place between the government and the party and some leading party members were released from prison.[1] However, the party chosed to stay outside of the governing coalition. The relations with the government caused a split within the party. Shams Ul Huda Shams broke away and formed his own party.
In 1995 Anwar-ul-Haq Ahady became party leader. Under his leadership, the party has toned down its Pashto nationalist profile and sought support amongst non-Pashtos.[2]
After the fall of the Taliban government, the party leader Ahady has been included in the goverment as Finance Minister. The party supported Hamid Karzai in the presidential election. The party has around 10 MPs.[1]
