Mohammad Hanif Khan

Sardar
Mohammad Hanif Khan
محمد حنیف خان
Governor of Samangan Province
In office
1964–1967
Preceded byposition established
Governor of Ghorat (Herat Province)
In office
1954–1964
Personal details
Born(1911-06-20)June 20, 1911
Kabul, Emirate of Afghanistan
Died(1994-10-02)October 2, 1994
Alexandria, Virginia, United States
SpouseSaida (Shirin Jan) Bibi Salek
RelationsBarakzai dynasty
Parent(s)Sardar Asif Khan (father), Jan Begum (mother)
ProfessionProvincial governor

Mohammad Hanif Khan (Kabul, Afghanistan, 20 June 1911 – Alexandria, Virginia, United States, 2 October 1994) was an Afghan aristocrat and provincial governor during the reign of King Mohammad Zahir Shah. A member of the Muhammadzai branch of the Barakzai dynasty, he served as the governor (ālī ḥākim) of Ghorat in the 1950s. At that time, Ghorat was not a separate province but formed part of the administrative territory of Herat Province. The modern Ghor Province was re-established in 1964, incorporating Ghorat and surrounding regions. Hanif Khan subsequently became the first governor of the newly established Samangan Province in 1964. Hanif Khan was part of the Barakzai noble lineage descended from Sardar Payinda Khan Mohammedzai, making him a relative of Afghan rulers of the 19th and 20th centuries, including Amir Dost Mohammad Khan, Sardar Sultan Mohammad Khan Telai and Zahir Shah. He is remembered for his role in provincial administration and contributions to local (especially agricultural) development.