Prof Muzaffer Ahmad passes away

Eminent economist and civil rights activist Prof Muzaffer Ahmad died on Tuesday night of old age complications. He was 79.

bdnews24.com
Published : 22 May 2012, 12:39 PM
Updated : 22 May 2012, 12:39 PM
Dhaka, May 22 (bdnews24.com) – Eminent economist and civil rights activist Prof Muzaffer Ahmad died on Tuesday night of old age complications. He was 79.
He died on the way from his Dhanmondi residence to the capital's LabAid Hospital, citizens' platform Sujon's general secretary Badiul Alam Mazumder told bdnews24.com.
Prof Muzaffer was president of Sujon, or Sushashoner Jonno Nagarik.
The former Dhaka University teacher is survived by his wife, two sons and two daughters.
Dr Mohammad Imran of the coronary care unit (CCU), who was present when Prof Muzaffer breathed his last, told bdnews24.com that he was declared dead at 11:22pm.
He said doctors assumed the economist dead when he was brought to the emergency ward at 10:50pm. "But we tried to resuscitate as per our procedures."
"Finally, we declared him dead in the CCU," Dr Imran added.
Prof Muzaffer was also chairman of the trustee board of the Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB).
Reacting to the news of death of Prof Muzaffer, TIB Executive Director Iftakharuzzaman told bdnews24.com, "It's an irreparable loss for the country."
"He had devoted his entire life to the development of the nation," he said and added, "He will be remembered for his contribution to the fight against corruption and establishing good governance."
The former director of Dhaka University's Institute of Business Administration, Prof Muzaffer was awarded Ekushey Padak in 2008.
The veteran economist had long been suffering from various medical complications including a type of blood cancer.
"He had been suffering from myeloproliferative disorder and used to receive treatment here (Labaid)," Dr Imran said. "He had also hypertension, heart diseases and diabetes."
Sujon general secretary Mazumder said he would be laid to rest at Azimpur graveyard after namaj-e-janaza at Dhanmondi Eidgah ground.
The body has been kept at BIRDEM's mortuary, he said.
The Sujon official could not immediately confirm whether the body would be taken to the Central Shaheed Minar for the masses to pay their last respects to the Professor Emeritus, "His body might be taken to Dhaka University. But nothing is final yet."
Meanwhile, main opposition BNP's chairperson Khaleda Zia has expressed her grief over Muzaffer Ahmad's death.
In a statement, she conveyed her heartfelt condolences to the family.
"The country has lost a remarkable citizen whose place cannot be replaced by anybody else. He was also an advisor to the late President Ziaur Rahman."
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