Gulbuddin Hekmatyar  Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, originally from
Baghlan, is the head and founder of Hezbi Islami. Hekmatyar, who
is now in his late forties, first studied at the military
academy; then in 1968, he switched to the engineering department
of Kabul University. Although Hekmatyar is sometimes referred to
as "Engineer Hekmatyar", he never graduated from Kabul
University with a degree in engineering. Nevertheless, he is
more outspoken than any other figure in Afghan politics. Before
becoming a "devout" Muslim and getting into Islamic politics,
Hekmatyar spent four years in the PDPA (People's Democratic
Party of Afghanistan). The PDPA was the Afghan communist party
comprising both Parchami and Khalqi groups. In 1972, Hekmatyar
was put in prison for killing a Maoist student. He then fled to
Pakistan and founded Hezbi Islami. Historians claim that in
1975, Hekmatyar instigated the anti-Daoud insurrection in
Panjshir. Hezb members and Hekmatyar refute his Communist
background, and they consider it an insult.