Tajikistan is a country in Central Asia. In 1929 the Tajik Soviet Socialist Republic was created as a republic of the Soviet Union. Starting in the late 1980s Tajik nationalists were calling for increased rights from the Communist government and by 1990 disturbances took place in the republic. In 1991 the Soviet Union dissolved, and Tajikistan declared its independence and renamed the country to the Republic of Tajikistan.

　　However, shortly after becoming independent Tajikistan fell into the Tajikistani Civil War (1992-97). This war ended with a June 1997 peace agreement, and the country has mostly been internally stable since. In November 1994 the new Constitution of Tajikistan was adopted, which along with 1999 and 2003 amendments, outlined the government.

　　

Select Prime Ministers of Tajikistan

Abdumalik Abdullajanov

Abdumalik Abdullajanov was born on January 1st, 1949 in the country of Tajikistan. He was the third prime minister of the state and was the first, and so far the only, prime minister from the now banned Party of People's Unity. Abdullajanov was appointed as prime minister on September 21st, 1992 and served for 454 days until December 18, 1993.

　　

Oqil Oqilov

Oqil Oqilov was born on February 2nd, 1944 in the city of Khujand in the northernmost area of Tajikistan. He was the first prime minister to be appointed that was a member of the People's Democratic Party of Tajikistan.

　　

Kokhir Rasulzoda (Incumbent)

Kokhir Rasulzoda was born on March 8th, 1961 in the city of Ghafurov in the Ghafurov District in the northern area of the country. He graduated from the Agricultural University of Tajikistan in the city of Dushanbe. He is the incumbent prime minister and the second consecutive to be a member of the People's Democratic Party of Tajikistan. He took office as prime minister on November 23rd, 2012 and was previously the head of Sughd Province.

　　

Duties of the Prime Minister

The prime minister's main duty is to be the leader of the government in the Supreme Assembly (Tajik parliament) and to coordinate the work of the Cabinet. The prime minister is appointed by the president, without the approval of the Supreme Assembly, and helps to assist and advise him with the execution of the various functions of the government. Since in Tajikistan the president is both the head of state and head of government, the position of prime minister is mostly a ceremonial position that helps to balance the geographical divide of the country. This is due to the fact that longtime President Emomali Rahmon is from the city of Kulob in the southern part of the country.