United News of Bangladesh

Former minister and veteran freedom fighter Engr Mosharraf Hossain died on Wednesday morning at a private hospital in Dhaka. He was 83. He was declared dead around 10:15 am, his eldest son Sayedur Rahman Sumu told the media. Mosharraf, a presidium member of Awami League (now facing a ban on its activities), had been suffering from multiple age-related complications. He was admitted to Square Hospital in Dhaka about a month ago where he was treated for pneumonia and other complications. He is survived by wife, four children, grandchildren and a host of admirers. Family sources said his namaj-e-janaza will be held after Asr prayers on Thursday at Mohajonhat Fazlur Rahman School and College ground in Mirsarai upazila of Chattogram. A janaza is also planned in Dhaka but the venue and time are yet to be finalised. Engineer Mosharraf Hossain was a six-time Member of Parliament from Chattogram-1 (Mirsarai) and served in several key ministerial roles including as Minister for Housing and Public Works. He was born on January 12, 1943, at Dhum village of Mirsarai upazila in Chattogram. He completed his secondary education at Chittagong Collegiate School and higher secondary education at Sir Ashutosh Government College. He later earned a BSc in Mining Engineering from the University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore in 1966. During his student life, he was involved in the Six-Point Movement and served as president of the East Pakistan Students’ Union. After returning home, he joined Awami League under the leadership of MA Aziz. He was elected a member of the then East Pakistan Provincial Assembly in 1970. After independence, he was elected member of parliament in 1973, 1986, 1996, 2008, 2014 and 2018. During the Liberation War in 1971, he served as sub-sector commander of Sector 1 and took part in several operations including the demolition of the Shuvopur Bridge to resist advancing Pakistani forces. After independence, he was one of the framers of Bangladesh’s Constitution in 1972. In 1986, he served as the Opposition Whip in Parliament and after the Awami League formed the government in 1996, he held the posts of Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister and Housing and Public Works Minister. In 2015, he again assumed the responsibility Housing and Public Works Minister. In October last year, he was arrested by the interim government led by Professor Yunus after the fall of the Awami League government on August 5, 2024. He was later shifted from the prison hospital to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University Hospital. Following his deteriorating condition, his wife Ayesha Sultana made several written appeals to the chief adviser of the intrim government seeking his bail and better medical treatment. He was granted bail while in intensive care, after which his health condition further worsened.

A namaz-e-janaza for Commerce Secretary Mahbubur Rahman, who passed away on Friday morning, was held after Jummah prayers at the Secretary Apartment Complex in the capital’s Eskaton area. Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir, State Minister for Public Administration Md Abdul Bari, Cabinet Secretary Dr Nasimul Ghani and Senior Secretary of the Land Ministry ASM Saleh Ahmed, among others, attended the janaza. Senior government officials, business leaders, public and family members were also present. Special prayers were offered seeking eternal peace for the departed soul. Recalling his brief working experience with the late secretary, the commerce minister said he had the opportunity to work with Mahbubur Rahman for about two months and found him to be a sincere and efficient officer devoted to his duties and the country. Mahbubur Rahman passed away around 6:25am on Friday while undergoing treatment at a city hospital. He was admitted to the hospital on April 13 after falling ill, with his platelet count dropping to a critical level. During treatment, he was diagnosed with malaria while under close observation. According to family sources, he will be laid to rest in Gacha area of Gazipur.

Commerce Ministry Secretary Mahbubur Rahman passed away early Friday at a hospital in the capital. He was 58. He breathed his last around 6:25am while undergoing treatment at a private hospital, said Md Kamal Hossain, senior information officer of the ministry. Rahman was admitted to the hospital on April 13 following a sharp drop in blood platelet levels. He was later diagnosed with malaria. He is survived by his wife and three daughters. Mahbubur Rahman was an officer of the 13th BCS (Customs and Excise) cadre. Mahbubur Rahman was an officer of the 13th BCS (Customs and Excise) cadre. He began his career as an Assistant Commissioner at the National Board of Revenue under the Internal Resources Division of the Ministry of Finance. He later served in various key positions in the Customs and VAT departments for around one and a half decades. Until December 2010, he worked as Deputy Commissioner, Joint Commissioner and Additional Commissioner at different Customs Houses, Customs, Excise and VAT Commissionerates, as well as the National Board of Revenue, demonstrating efficiency and professionalism. He was later promoted to the rank of Secretary and most recently served as Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce, where he was dedicated to advancing the country’s trade and economic development.

The 5th death anniversary of noted journalist Hasan Shahriar, former president of the Jatiya Press Club (JPC) and ex-executive editor of Dainik Ittefaq, will be observed on Friday. Doa mahfils will be held in a family setting at his residence in Sunamganj, at Segunbagicha in Dhaka, and in Sylhet. Hasan Shahriar passed away at a hospital in Dhaka in 2021. He retired from Dainik Ittefaq in 2008 after a long career as its executive editor. He also served as the founding editor of Daily Sun and chief editor of the Chattogram-based daily People’s View. During his career, Shahriar worked as Bangladesh correspondent for several international publications, including Newsweek, Khaleej Times, Deccan Herald, The Indian Express, The Asian Age, as well as Pakistan’s Morning News, Dawn and Evening Star. He was a former president of the Overseas Correspondents Association Bangladesh (OCAB), and later served as International President Emeritus of the Toronto-based Commonwealth Journalists Association (CJA). In recognition of his contribution to journalism, he was awarded a fellowship by Bangla Academy, while the Bangladesh Press Council conferred a posthumous honour on him. Remembered as a fearless journalist, Shahriar upheld the principles of truth and integrity throughout his career and never compromised on professional ethics despite challenges. He completed his schooling at Sunamganj Government Jubilee High School and Sunamganj College, and earned his BA (Hons) and MA degrees from the University of Karachi.

Uttara University has expressed deep sorrow at the death of its teacher Dr Dulali Rani Saha, an assistant professor at the Department of Education. In a Facebook post on Friday, the university said Dulali Rani’s dedication to education, warm personality and lasting contributions to the academic community will ever be remembered with great respect. It described her as one of the institution's pioneering members and a dependable colleague who could always be relied upon. Her death is a loss not only for the university but also for the country, which has lost a remarkable educator. The Uttara University family prayed for eternal peace of her departed soul and extended heartfelt condolences to her bereaved family. Dulali Rani passed away around 10:30pm on Thursday.  

The 47th death anniversary of late Chief Justice Syed Mahbub Murshed, an eminent jurist will be observed on Friday. Quran Khani and Fateha Khani will be held at 10:00am at the late justice’s grave at Banani graveyard, said a press release. The Syed Mahbub Murshed Memorial Committee will also place floral wreaths at his grave to pay tribute. A luminary in the judicial field in South Asia and a respected figure in the political arena, Justice Murshed has been described by intellectuals as “a keeper of the national conscience”. As in previous years, various socio-cultural organisations will hold discussion meetings to observe the occasion. These programmes will highlight Justice Murshed’s striking personality, his historical role and his contributions.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Saturday expressed deep sorrow at the death of Dilara Hafiz, wife of Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad and an educationist. In a condolence message, the Prime Minister said Dilara Hafiz was a distinguished educationist and social worker. “With her death, the nation has lost a respected and dedicated educationist,” he said. Dilara Hafiz passed away at Singapore General Hospital at 1:29pm Singapore time on Saturday. She was 78. She is survived by husband, one son, one daughter, grandchildren and many well-wishers. During her long career, Dilara Hafiz made important contributions to the development of education in the country. She served as principal of Eden Mohila College and Suhrawardy College at different times. She also served as Director General of the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education under the Ministry of Education.

Dilara Hafiz, wife of Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad, passed away at a hospital in Singapore on Saturday. She was 78. She breathed her last at Singapore General Hospital at 1:29pm (Singapore time), said BNP Media Cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan. Dilara is survived by husband, one son, one daughter, grandchildren and many well-wishers to mourn her death. Her body will be brought back to Bangladesh on Saturday evening, Sayrul said. He said Dilara’s first namaz-e-janaza will be held on March 30 at 11:00am at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad, while the second janaza will be held after Johr prayers at the central mosque in Dhaka Cantonment. She will be laid to rest at Banani Military Graveyard, Sayrul added. Sayrul said Dilara Hafiz had been receiving treatment at the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) in Dhaka for a long time. As her condition did not improve as expected she was taken to Singapore on the afternoon of Eid-ul-Fitr, he added.

GM Fazlul Haque, former Member of Parliament from Chandpur and an executive committee member of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), passed away on Tuesday evening at United Hospital in Dhaka. His eldest son, Barrister Ziaul Haque Ziku, and family members said Haque was 83 years old at the time of his death. He is survived by his wife, two sons, two daughters, and numerous relatives and well-wishers. The family resided in Dhaka. Barrister Ziaul Haque Ziku mentioned that his father had been suffering from age-related illnesses for a long time and had received medical treatment both at home and abroad. GM Fazlul Haque hailed from Gazi Bari in Tarpurchandi village of Tarpurchandi Union in Chandpur Sadar. His Janaza prayers are scheduled to be held at his family home in Chandpur village, followed by burial at the family graveyard. Haque was elected as a Member of Parliament from Chandpur-3 in the 7th National Parliament in 1996 and the 8th National Parliament in 2001 as a BNP candidate. He also contested the 9th parliamentary elections in 2008 from the same constituency but lost to Awami League candidate Dr. Dipu Moni. During his tenure in parliament, he served as the Acting Speaker of the Jatiya Sangsad and Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Posts and Telecommunications. Following his death, Chandpur-3 MP Sheikh Farid Ahmed Manik and BNP leaders expressed deep condolences. Tributes also came from other political parties and professional organizations.

Ali Mahmud, City Editor of the daily Dinkal, died of a heart attack on Monday. He was 69. According to family members, Ali Mahmud did not return home on Sunday night, causing concern among his relatives.  On Monday morning, his wife, Jesmin Ara, along with other family members, went to the Jatiya Press Club to look for him. After staying there for some time, a cleaning staff member informed them that Ali Mahmud was found lying unconscious in a washroom of the club. Police later took him to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where doctors declared him dead. Ali Mahmud is survived by wife, two sons and a daughter. Born in 1956 in Paba upazila of Rajshahi, Ali Mahmud began his journalism career completing his graduation from Rajshahi University.  His first workplace was the Rajshahi-based daily Barta. He later joined Dinkal after moving to Dhaka. He worked at Dinkal for a long time, serving in several important positions, and was last working as its City Editor. Ali Mahmud was a permanent member of the Jatiya Press Club, Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) and Dhaka Journalists Union (DUJ).  He was also a member of BNP’s media cell. Following the news of his death, a pall of grief descended over journalists, including his colleagues at Dinkal.  Fellow journalists described him as a simple and humble person and a dedicated working journalist who remained active in the field throughout his career. Freedom fighter Abdur Rashid Molla dies in Narshingdi Leaders of various journalist organisations expressed deep sorrow over his death. Acting President of the Dhaka Federal Journalists Union Obaidur Rahman Shahin and its General Secretary Kader Gani Chowdhury mourned his demise. DUJ President Shahidul Islam and General Secretary Khurshid Alam, DRU President Abu Saleh Akon and General Secretary Mainul Hasan Sohel, and National Press Club President Hasan Hafiz and General Secretary Ayub Bhuiyan also expressed condolences in separate messages, praying for the eternal peace of the departed soul and conveying sympathy to the bereaved family. In separate condolence messages, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Media Cell Convener Professor Maudud Hossain Alamgir Pavel, Member Secretary Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie, and BNP Chairperson’s Press Secretary Saleh Shibli also expressed deep shock and sorrow at Ali Mahmud’s death.