Akbar Hossain

Akbar Hossain, Bir Protik (18 January 1941 – 25 June 2006) was a veteran of the Bangladesh Liberation War, a politician of Bangladesh National Party and a Minister in three Bangladesh governments.[1]

Colonel (Retd) Akbar Hossain Bir Protik
Minister for Shipping
In office October 2001 – 1June 2006
Prime Minister	Khaleda Zia
Minister for the Environment and Forests
In office October 1993 – January 1996
Prime Minister	Khaleda Zia
Minister for Petroleum and Mineral Resources
In office 1978–1981
Prime Minister	Ziaur Rahman
Member of Parliament for Comilla-8
Personal details
Born	(1941-11-02)2 November 1941 Comilla, Bangladesh
Died	(2006-06-26)June 26, 2006
Political party	Bangladesh Nationalist Party
Alma mater	University of Dhaka

Biography

Hossain was born in Kashari Patty on January 18, 1941, in Comilla District.[2]

Military career

He 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 BA at the University of Dhaka, receiving it 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.

Political career

He 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.

In 1978 he was made 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.[2] During the military dictatorship of General Hossain Mohammad Ershad, Akbar Hossain was jailed on five separate occasions for coming into conflict with the regime.[2] 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 he 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

1. "Death anniversary". The Daily Star. 25 June 2015. Retrieved 26 June 2015.
2. "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.
3. "Col (retd) Akbar Hossain laid to rest". bdnews24.com. 25 June 2006. Retrieved 26 June 2015.
4. Khasru, B.Z. (2015). The Bangladesh Military Coup and the CIA Link. India: Rupa Publications. p. 209. ISBN 978-81-291-3416-5.
5. "Minister Akbar passes away". The Daily Star. 26 June 2006. Retrieved 26 June 2015.
6. "Route permits of unfit river vessels to be cancelled soon". The Daily Star. 3 August 2003. Retrieved 26 June 2015.
7. "Parliament adopts condolence motion at death of Col (rtd) Akbar Hossain". bdnews24.com. 25 June 2006. Retrieved 26 June 2015.