Exit From Kabul

Syed Bilal Hashmi ACCA made the difficult decision to leave Afghanistan in December 2021, uprooting his family to seek a new life in Ireland. As the deputy auditor general of Afghanistan, he had dedicated over 12 years to his career, but the circumstances under Taliban rule made it impossible for him to stay.

When Kabul fell, Hashmi initially tried to continue his work but soon realized he had to leave for the sake of his family. They departed without saying goodbye, carrying only a few belongings. Their journey took them to Dubai, where they lived in a refugee camp for 11 months before finally settling in Ireland. Thanks to the support from ACCA, Hashmi was able to secure a position as an audit senior at Dillon Kelly Cregan, a Dublin-based accountancy firm.

Ireland offered a fresh start with strong education and healthcare systems for his children. Hashmi’s wife played a crucial role in easing their transition, teaching their children English, and helping them adapt to their new environment. His children are now in school, with one even launching a YouTube channel.

Hashmi’s professional journey began in Kabul in 2009, working for Zia Massoud. He later became CFO of Kabul Bank, which was under receivership, before moving to Malaysia to complete his ACCA qualification. Upon returning to Afghanistan, he took on leadership roles, including deputy head of CPA Afghanistan, contributing to the advancement of the accounting profession in the country. Under his leadership, Afghanistan’s first accountancy law was passed, a bachelor’s degree program in accounting was launched at Kabul University, and international recognition was achieved through ACCA’s support.

His work was not just a profession but a mission to fight corruption and bring transparency to Afghanistan. While many of his former colleagues have been evacuated, some remain in Kabul, making communication difficult.

Mohammad Aman Ahmadi, who met Hashmi multiple times at ACCA events held at Kabul Intercontinental Hotel and the Ministry of Finance, speaks highly of his professionalism and ethical conduct. Hashmi’s dedication to the accounting profession and his strong moral compass were evident in every interaction.

Despite the new opportunities in Ireland, Hashmi still hopes to return to Afghanistan if conditions improve, continuing his mission to strengthen the country’s financial and auditing institutions. For now, he is focused on building his career and supporting his family in their new home.

For more information visit: https://abmagazine.accaglobal.com/global/articles/2023/jan/interviews/exit-from-kabul.html