Adv: 1st Lead
Dhaka, June 25 (BDNEWS) – Shipping Minister Lt Col. (rtd) Akbar Hossain, Bir Protik, died of cardiac arrest Sunday night. He was 65.
"He complained of chest pain at around 8.30pm. The family members rushed him to Gulshan Shikder Medical Hospital where the on-duty doctors declared him dead at around 9:45pm," Shafiqul Islam, senior information officer of the shipping ministry told BDNEWS.
Acting President Barrister Jamiruddin Sircar and Prime Minister Khaleda Zia expressed profound shock at the sudden death of the Shipping Minister and rushed to his residence. They conveyed their deep condolences and sympathies to the bereaved family members.
Acting Speaker Akhter Hamid Siddiki, LGRD Minister Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan, Health Minister Dr Khondoker Mosharraf Hossain and other ministers, MPs, party leaders and workers thronged the Gulshan Shikder Medical Hospital to have a glimpse of the minister, a valiant freedom fighter.
Akbar is the second minister of the BNP-led four-party alliance government to die after the death of Women and Children Affairs Minister Begum Khurshid Jahan Haque, Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia's eldest sister, on June 14.
The Acting President in a condolence message recalled the contributions of late Akbar to the country's independence, democracy and country's rebuilding. The nation has lost a valiant freedom fighter and politician at his death, Sircar said.
He expressed deep sympathy for the bereaved family members and prayed for the salvation of the departed soul.
Prime Minister Khaleda Zia in a separate message expressed deep shock at the death Akbar Hossain.
She recalled an extraordinary contribution of the late Akbar to the country's Liberation War and nationalist politics in which he had been involved from the beginning as a close associate of late President Ziaur Rahman.
Begum Zia also recalled his contribution to various democratic movements and his role as a Minister of her cabinet. Begum Zia prayed for the peace of the departed soul and conveyed her deep sympathy to the bereaved family members.
The ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has announced to observe a three-day mourning programmes. It will hoist the party flag half-mast and hoist black flag atop of all party office branches.
Family sources said, his body will be taken to Naya Paltan party central office at 11 am for the first janaja. His body will then be taken to South Plaza of the Parliament at 12 noon for the second janaja before taking to Comilla Eidgah maidan for the third one at 3pm.
From there, his body will be taken to Chitushi Sharifpur village home of Akbar where he will be laid to rest for eternal peace after holding another janaja there.
BDNEWS/2355 hrs
