Things are not all as they seem, here is another relevant article.
Intrigue takes Afghanistan to the brink
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/JB06Df01.html
Dustum Profile
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/1563344.stm
“While much of the rest of Afghanistan was in ruins, his stronghold of Mazar-e-Sharif - a city of around two million people - was thriving.
General Dostum grew rich, but his rule was harsh. He is reported to have frequently ordered public executions of criminals, who were usually crushed to death under tanks. “
Afghan police lift siege of ex-warlord Dostum
“At the height of his power, the burly, mustached fighter ran a mini-state centered in parts of the north and his well-equipped army kept even the Taliban at bay until 1997. He printed his own money, set up his own airline, drove an armored Cadillac and vowed never to bow to a government that banned whisky and music.”
My kind of guy!