A. M. Zahiruddin Khan
Encyclopedia
A. M. Zahiruddin Khan was a distinguished freedom fighter, industrialist and politician. Mr. Khan comes from an old respectable Muslim family. He is the eldest son of Mr. A. K. Khan (former Industries Minister), able descendant of Sherbaz Khan, who was the son of Shamsher Khan, minister of Gaor in the 16th Century.
Mr. Khan, after schooling in St. Paul's School in Dajeeling, India, completed his education at Aitcheson College, Lahore, Pakistan. He entered business at an early age by becoming Managing Director of A.K.Khan & Co. Ltd in 1958 and later Chairman in 1991. He was the founder Chairman of AKTEL
and Chairman of COATS Bangladesh, Bengal Fisheries Ltd.
During his distinguished career, he played an active role in the development of the private sector in Bangladesh. He was elected President of Chittagong Chamber of Commerce & Industry (CCCI) from two consecutive terms. He was also elected President of Federation of Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce & Industry (FBCCI) in 1977. As President of FBCCI
, he initiated the formation of Islamic Chambers of Commerce & Industry. He was also elected Chairman of the Working Group for drafting of the Islamic Chamber of Commerce & Industry Constitution in the Istambul Conference in 1977. He also participated in the International Labor Organization (ILO) conference in Geneva in 1975 as representative of Bangladesh Employers.
Mr. Khan was also Chairman of All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (East Zone) from 1969 to 1971, Founder Chairman of Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA), Founder Director of Investement Corporation of Bangladesh (ICB) and Director of Sharharan Bima Corporation. He also served as Chairman of Sonali Bank
, the largest government commercial bank in Bangladesh
.
Mr. Khan joined politics in 1978 and was also elected Member of Parliament (MP) in 1979 from Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) led by President Ziaur Rahman
. He become a member of Begum Khaleda Zia's cabinet in 1991 as Planning Minister and later as Industries Minister.
As Planning Minister, he initiated the Costal Belt Afforestation Project, which has been very successful in protecting the coastal areas from cyclones. During his tenure as Planning Minister he initiated many development project across Bangladesh including, the Chittagong International Airport. Later on as Industries Minister, he spearheaded the jute diversification program, and under his leadership, pulp making from green jute tree for production of paper and rayon fiber was initiated. Mr. Khan also attended the state funeral of President Francois Mitterrand
of France as the representative of the Bangladesh Government.
From young age, Mr. Khan displayed a highly innovative and creative spirit. He was a gifted painter, eclectic designer poet an avid patron of the arts. He leaves behind his wife, two sons and two daughters, eight grandchildren, four brothers and four sisters, and a host of relatives, friends and well wishers.
He was buried at the family graveyard at Batali Hills, Chittagong with full national honor.
Mr. Khan, after schooling in St. Paul's School in Dajeeling, India, completed his education at Aitcheson College, Lahore, Pakistan. He entered business at an early age by becoming Managing Director of A.K.Khan & Co. Ltd in 1958 and later Chairman in 1991. He was the founder Chairman of AKTEL
Aktel
Robi Axiata Limited, DBA Robi , is a joint venture between Axiata Group Berhad, Malaysia and NTT DoCoMo Inc, Japan ....
and Chairman of COATS Bangladesh, Bengal Fisheries Ltd.
During his distinguished career, he played an active role in the development of the private sector in Bangladesh. He was elected President of Chittagong Chamber of Commerce & Industry (CCCI) from two consecutive terms. He was also elected President of Federation of Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce & Industry (FBCCI) in 1977. As President of FBCCI
FBCCI
Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industries is the premier umbrella organization for businessmen in Bangladesh....
, he initiated the formation of Islamic Chambers of Commerce & Industry. He was also elected Chairman of the Working Group for drafting of the Islamic Chamber of Commerce & Industry Constitution in the Istambul Conference in 1977. He also participated in the International Labor Organization (ILO) conference in Geneva in 1975 as representative of Bangladesh Employers.
Mr. Khan was also Chairman of All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (East Zone) from 1969 to 1971, Founder Chairman of Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA), Founder Director of Investement Corporation of Bangladesh (ICB) and Director of Sharharan Bima Corporation. He also served as Chairman of Sonali Bank
Sonali Bank
Sonali Bank Limited is a state-owned leading commercial bank in Bangladesh.It is the largest bank of the country.-History:...
, the largest government commercial bank in Bangladesh
Bangladesh
Bangladesh , officially the People's Republic of Bangladesh is a sovereign state located in South Asia. It is bordered by India on all sides except for a small border with Burma to the far southeast and by the Bay of Bengal to the south...
.
Mr. Khan joined politics in 1978 and was also elected Member of Parliament (MP) in 1979 from Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) led by President Ziaur Rahman
Ziaur Rahman
President Ziaur Rahman, Bir Uttam, was a Bangladeshi politician and general, who read the declaration of Independence of Bangladesh on March 26, 1971 on behalf of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. He later became the seventh President of Bangladesh from 1977 until 1981...
. He become a member of Begum Khaleda Zia's cabinet in 1991 as Planning Minister and later as Industries Minister.
As Planning Minister, he initiated the Costal Belt Afforestation Project, which has been very successful in protecting the coastal areas from cyclones. During his tenure as Planning Minister he initiated many development project across Bangladesh including, the Chittagong International Airport. Later on as Industries Minister, he spearheaded the jute diversification program, and under his leadership, pulp making from green jute tree for production of paper and rayon fiber was initiated. Mr. Khan also attended the state funeral of President Francois Mitterrand
François Mitterrand
François Maurice Adrien Marie Mitterrand was the 21st President of the French Republic and ex officio Co-Prince of Andorra, serving from 1981 until 1995. He is the longest-serving President of France and, as leader of the Socialist Party, the only figure from the left so far elected President...
of France as the representative of the Bangladesh Government.
From young age, Mr. Khan displayed a highly innovative and creative spirit. He was a gifted painter, eclectic designer poet an avid patron of the arts. He leaves behind his wife, two sons and two daughters, eight grandchildren, four brothers and four sisters, and a host of relatives, friends and well wishers.
He was buried at the family graveyard at Batali Hills, Chittagong with full national honor.