Zia’s younger brother dies in US

Slain President Ziaur Rahman’s younger brother Khalilur Rahman died of cardiac arrest at his home in Clinton of Maryland in the United States on Saturday evening (local time) at the age of 77.

Khalilur was a pharmacist by profession.

He left behind his wife and three daughters.

BNP’s USA unit leader Sharafat Hossain Babu told bdnews24.com that Khalilur’s first namaz-e-janaza (funeral prayer) would be held at the Muslim Community Centre in Maryland’s Silver Spring City on Sunday afternoon.

His burial ground would be determined after one of the three daughters returned from London.

But it was primarily decided to bury Khalilur in Maryland where he had long been living, the BNP leader said.

The local Bangladeshis said Khalilur used to lead a very simple life and other than professional friends, he did not use to socialise with others.

Though Ziaur Rahman was the President of Bangladesh and after his death, Zia’s wife Khaleda Zia-led BNP came to state power twice, Khalilur was never seen in any state programmes.

“He was never interested in the activities of the political parties and never introduced him to be the younger brother of President Ziaur Rahman on purpose,” BNP leader Babu added.