Bir Protik Akbar Hossain (18 January 1941 – 25 June 2006)[1] was a Bangladeshi politician of Bangladesh National Party. He served as the minister of Minister for Shipping, Minister for the Environment and Forests and Minister for Petroleum and Mineral Resources.[2]
Akbar Hossain | |
|---|---|
আকবর হোসেন | |
| Minister for Shipping | |
| In office 10 October 2001 – 25 June 2006 | |
| Preceded by | A. S. M. Abdur Rab |
| Succeeded by | Shajahan Khan |
| Minister for the Environment and Forests | |
| In office October 1993 – January 1996 | |
| Succeeded by | Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury |
| Minister for Petroleum and Mineral Resources | |
| In office 1978–1981 | |
| Member of Parliament for Comilla-8 | |
| In office 5 March 1991 – 27 October 2006 | |
| Preceded by | Ansar Ahmed |
| Succeeded by | Nasimul Alam Chowdhury |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 2 November 1941 Comilla, Bengal Presidency, British India (Now, Chittagong, Bangladesh) |
| Died | 25 June 2006 (aged 64) Dhaka, Bangladesh |
| Political party | Bangladesh Nationalist Party |
| Spouse | Sultana Akbar |
| Alma mater | University of Dhaka |
| Awards |  Bir Protik |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Pakistan (Before 1971) Bangladesh |
| Branch/service |  Pakistan Army Bangladesh Army |
| Years of service | 1966–1973 |
| Rank |  Lieutenant Colonel |
| Unit | Baloch Regiment (Before 1971) East Bengal Regiment |
| Commands |
|
| Battles/wars | Bangladesh Liberation War |
Biography
editHossain was born in Kashari Patty on 18 January 1941, in Comilla District.[1]
Military career
editHossain joined the army at Kakul Military Academy in Pakistan in May 1966, after his commission, he was posted to the 31 Baluch Regiment. While serving, he studied for his bachelor's at the University of Dhaka, receiving the degree in 1969.
Hossain joined the War of Independence in 1971 first under Khaled Musharraf and then with the Z force headed by Ziaur Rahman. He was decorated for gallantry, receiving the 'Bir Protik' for his role in the War.[3] After independence was won, he took voluntary retirement from the Bangladesh Army at the end of December 1973, after attaining the rank of lieutenant colonel.[citation needed]
Political career
editHossain then became actively involved in politics and helped form the United People's Party (UPP) in January 1974. He went on to become the Vice-President of the UPP. In 1977, the UPP merged with the Jatiyatabadi Front, Hossain left and joined Bangladesh National Party (BNP) and played a crucial role in its founding.[3] He was first made Special Secretary and then held the position of Joint Secretary General and was one of the Vice-Presidents of the BNP up until his death.[citation needed]
In 1978, Hossain was appointed as the minister for Petroleum and Mineral Resources under the government of President Ziaur Rahman.[4] Hossain was first elected a Member of the Bangladesh Parliament in 1979, he represented the Comilla 8th constituency in the 2nd Jatiyo Sangshad elections, a seat he was re-elected to four times.[1] During the military dictatorship of General Hossain Mohammad Ershad, Akbar Hossain was jailed on five separate occasions for coming into conflict with the regime.[1] After the ending of the military dictatorship and the election of Khaleda Zia, the country's first female Prime Minister. Hossain returned to government as Minister for the Environment and Forests in October 1993.[5]
In October 2001, Hossain was appointed Minister for Shipping after the BNP led four-party alliance won the 8th Jatiyo Sangshad elections, with a two-thirds majority and Khaleda Zia became the Prime Minister of Bangladesh for the third time.[6] He died in Dhaka in 2006 following a massive heart attack.[7]
References
edit- ^ a b c d "Life sketch of Lt. Col. (rtd) Akbar Hossain Life sketch of Lt. Col. (rtd) Akbar Hossain". bdnews24.com. 25 June 2006. Retrieved 26 June 2015.
- ^ "Death anniversary". The Daily Star. 25 June 2015. Retrieved 26 June 2015.
- ^ a b "Col (retd) Akbar Hossain laid to rest". bdnews24.com. 25 June 2006. Retrieved 26 June 2015.
- ^ Khasru, B.Z. (2015). The Bangladesh Military Coup and the CIA Link. India: Rupa Publications. p. 209. ISBN 978-81-291-3416-5.
- ^ "Minister Akbar passes away". The Daily Star. 26 June 2006. Archived from the original on 26 June 2015. Retrieved 26 June 2015.
- ^ "Route permits of unfit river vessels to be cancelled soon". The Daily Star. 3 August 2003. Retrieved 26 June 2015.
- ^ "Parliament adopts condolence motion at death of Col (rtd) Akbar Hossain". bdnews24.com. 25 June 2006. Retrieved 26 June 2015.