Shahjahan Mia, a lawmaker from Patuakhali and ex-state minister, dies at 83

The former state minister for religious affairs passes away in hospital care after grappling with various age-related complications

Md Shahjahan Mia, a lawmaker from Patuakhali-1 and a former state minister for religious affairs, has died at the age of 83.

He passed away during treatment at the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University Hospital around 6 am on Saturday, according to his son, Advocate Tarikuzzaman Moni.

Shahjahan had been suffering from various old-age complications for a while, he said.

He is survived by his three sons and a daughter.

Born on Jan 17, 1940, Shahjahan became an influential politician in Patuakhali, serving as the president of the district Awami League from 1991-2019.

He was elected to parliament for the first time in 1996, before winning the Patuakhali-1 seat again in 2008 and 2018.

Following his victory in the 2008 election, he was appointed as the state minister for religious affairs.

Shahjahan, who was also a lawyer by profession, held the position of president of the Patuakhali Lawyers Association for several terms.