Shah M S Kibria
Encyclopedia
Shah Abu Muhammad Shamsul Kibria (শাহ আবু মোহাম্মদ শামসুল কিবরিয়া), commonly known as SAMS Kibria or Shams Kibria (born May 1, 1931-died January 27, 2005), was an economist
, diplomat
and politician
from Bangladesh
.
Joining the Pakistan Foreign Service in 1954, Kibria became the Director General of the Political Affairs department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Between 1981-1992, Kibria wasExecutive Secretary of UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific(ESCAP). Kibria served as the Minister of Finance of the government led by Sheikh Hasina
from 1996 – 2001. He was elected a Member of Parliament
in the general election of 2001.
Kibria was assassinated on January 27, 2005 in a grenade attack in his constituency of Habiganj
in Sylhet.
, Sylhet Division
. His father Shah Imtiaz Ali was a pioneer in the field of primary education in the greater Sylhet region. Shah Kibria was a brilliant student. He graduated in Economics from Dhaka University in 1952. In the same year he was arrested by East Pakistan
police for his involvement in the Bengali language movement and was released shortly. After obtaining his Master's degree in Economics in 1953, Kibria topped the Central Superior Services Examination of Pakistan government in 1954 and was selected for the Pakistan Foreign Service. He received training for diplomatic service at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy in Boston, USA and British Foreign Office in London, UK.
Shah Kibria was serving as political counselor in the Pakistan Embassy, Washington DC. On August 4, 1971, he along with his Bengali
colleagues, quit the Pakistan embassy and declared allegiance to the interim Bangladesh government. He took part in organizing a Bangladesh mission in Washington DC, and mobilizing public opinion in support of Bangladesh. He also issued a bulletin to inform the international community about the progress of Bangladeshi forces in the war.
After the war Kibria joined the newly established Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh in Dhaka as Director general of the political affairs department. He also held the post of secretary in the Ministry of Administration. In January 1973, he was appointed High Commissioner
to Australia, New Zealand and Fiji. He was appointed the Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the European office of the UN in Geneva in 1976. He returned to Bangladesh as Foreign Secretary in 1978. In 1979, Kibria served as the elected Chairman of the Group of 77 Preparatory Committee for United Nations Conference on Trade and Development
V held in Manila. From May 1981 to March 1992, Kibria held the post of Executive Secretary of UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP). He also assumed the additional assignment of special representative of the UN Secretary-General for Cambodian humanitarian relief in 1986.
in September as a member of the advisory council. At the same time he started writing columns on economic and political issues in the national dailies. In 1994, he was appointed Political Advisor to the Awami League President. After the general election on June 12, 1996, Kibria joined the cabinet of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as Minister of Finance. He served in this capacity until the government's term expired in July 2001.
Kibria was elected Chairman of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, 1997 annual session. He was also elected President of the Governing Council of International Fund for Agricultural Development 1998.
In the general election on October 1, 2001, Kibria was elected a member of parliament from Habiganj-3 constituency.
Expectation of life at birth rose from 58.7 years in 1995-96 to 61.8 years in 2000-2001. Per capita calorie intake went up from 2206.1 to 2274.2 kilocalories in rural areas and from 2220.2 to 2283.3 kilocalories in urban areas during his term as finance minister. Literacy rate for 15 old and above was 47.3 percent in 1995-96; the rate went up to 64 percent in 2000. Infant mortality rate, which was 67 per thousand in 1995-96, went down in 1998 to 57 per thousand live births.
, about 65 miles away from the place of the incidence. As the ambulance carrying Kibria reached BIRDEM, the doctors on duty announced him dead.
The role of the security forces, government officials and medical personnel of Habiganj spurred controversy. Bangladesh Awami League
, Kibria's party, organized anti-government protests and countrywide strikes in protest of the killing. The family members of Kibria called for a non-violent movement in Dhaka demanding justice. On March 21, 2005 the police charged ten people with Habiganj bombing. The widow of Kibria denounced the charges, alleging they are part of a cover up to protect the real culprits.
Kibria authored four books -
. His wife Asma Kibria is a painter.
Economist
An economist is a professional in the social science discipline of economics. The individual may also study, develop, and apply theories and concepts from economics and write about economic policy...
, diplomat
Diplomat
A diplomat is a person appointed by a state to conduct diplomacy with another state or international organization. The main functions of diplomats revolve around the representation and protection of the interests and nationals of the sending state, as well as the promotion of information and...
and politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
from 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...
.
Joining the Pakistan Foreign Service in 1954, Kibria became the Director General of the Political Affairs department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Between 1981-1992, Kibria wasExecutive Secretary of UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific(ESCAP). Kibria served as the Minister of Finance of the government led by Sheikh Hasina
Sheikh Hasina
Sheikh Hasina is a Bangladeshi politician and current Prime Minister of Bangladesh. She has been the President of the Awami League, a major political party, since 1981. She is the eldest of five children of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founding father of Bangladesh and widow of a reputed nuclear...
from 1996 – 2001. He was elected a Member of Parliament
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
in the general election of 2001.
Kibria was assassinated on January 27, 2005 in a grenade attack in his constituency of Habiganj
Habiganj District
Habiganj is a district in the north-eastern part of Bangladesh. It is under Sylhet Division.Habiganj is the historical place where the Mukti Bahini started their first guerrilla movement against aggressor Pakistani Army. It is also the place full of memory of Syed Nasir Uddin, an associate of...
in Sylhet.
Biography
SAMS Kibria was born on May 1, 1931 in Habiganj DistrictHabiganj District
Habiganj is a district in the north-eastern part of Bangladesh. It is under Sylhet Division.Habiganj is the historical place where the Mukti Bahini started their first guerrilla movement against aggressor Pakistani Army. It is also the place full of memory of Syed Nasir Uddin, an associate of...
, Sylhet Division
Sylhet Division
Sylhet Division , also known as Greater Sylhet or Sylhet region, is the northeastern division of Bangladesh, named after its main city, Sylhet...
. His father Shah Imtiaz Ali was a pioneer in the field of primary education in the greater Sylhet region. Shah Kibria was a brilliant student. He graduated in Economics from Dhaka University in 1952. In the same year he was arrested by East Pakistan
East Pakistan
East Pakistan was a provincial state of Pakistan established in 14 August 1947. The provincial state existed until its declaration of independence on 26 March 1971 as the independent nation of Bangladesh. Pakistan recognized the new nation on 16 December 1971. East Pakistan was created from Bengal...
police for his involvement in the Bengali language movement and was released shortly. After obtaining his Master's degree in Economics in 1953, Kibria topped the Central Superior Services Examination of Pakistan government in 1954 and was selected for the Pakistan Foreign Service. He received training for diplomatic service at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy in Boston, USA and British Foreign Office in London, UK.
Diplomatic career
Shah Kibria served in Pakistan diplomatic missions in Calcutta, Cairo, UN mission, New York, Teheran and Jakarta. He was also appointed to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Islamabad and the Pakistan Embassy in Washington D.C. During the liberation warBangladesh Liberation War
The Bangladesh Liberation War was an armed conflict pitting East Pakistan and India against West Pakistan. The war resulted in the secession of East Pakistan, which became the independent nation of Bangladesh....
Shah Kibria was serving as political counselor in the Pakistan Embassy, Washington DC. On August 4, 1971, he along with his Bengali
Bengali people
The Bengali people are an ethnic community native to the historic region of Bengal in South Asia. They speak Bengali , which is an Indo-Aryan language of the eastern Indian subcontinent, evolved from the Magadhi Prakrit and Sanskrit languages. In their native language, they are referred to as বাঙালী...
colleagues, quit the Pakistan embassy and declared allegiance to the interim Bangladesh government. He took part in organizing a Bangladesh mission in Washington DC, and mobilizing public opinion in support of Bangladesh. He also issued a bulletin to inform the international community about the progress of Bangladeshi forces in the war.
After the war Kibria joined the newly established Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh in Dhaka as Director general of the political affairs department. He also held the post of secretary in the Ministry of Administration. In January 1973, he was appointed High Commissioner
High Commissioner
High Commissioner is the title of various high-ranking, special executive positions held by a commission of appointment.The English term is also used to render various equivalent titles in other languages.-Bilateral diplomacy:...
to Australia, New Zealand and Fiji. He was appointed the Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the European office of the UN in Geneva in 1976. He returned to Bangladesh as Foreign Secretary in 1978. In 1979, Kibria served as the elected Chairman of the Group of 77 Preparatory Committee for United Nations Conference on Trade and Development
United Nations Conference on Trade and Development
The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development was established in 1964 as a permanent intergovernmental body. It is the principal organ of the United Nations General Assembly dealing with trade, investment, and development issues....
V held in Manila. From May 1981 to March 1992, Kibria held the post of Executive Secretary of UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP). He also assumed the additional assignment of special representative of the UN Secretary-General for Cambodian humanitarian relief in 1986.
Political career
After the UN assignments, Kibria returned to Bangladesh in 1992. He started to take in interest in politics and joined Bangladesh Awami LeagueBangladesh Awami League
The Bangladesh Awami League , commonly known as the Awami League, is the mainstream center-left, secular political party in Bangladesh...
in September as a member of the advisory council. At the same time he started writing columns on economic and political issues in the national dailies. In 1994, he was appointed Political Advisor to the Awami League President. After the general election on June 12, 1996, Kibria joined the cabinet of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as Minister of Finance. He served in this capacity until the government's term expired in July 2001.
Kibria was elected Chairman of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, 1997 annual session. He was also elected President of the Governing Council of International Fund for Agricultural Development 1998.
In the general election on October 1, 2001, Kibria was elected a member of parliament from Habiganj-3 constituency.
Term as Finance Minister
Shah A M S Kibria's five year term was marked by economic progress and stability, the only exception being a stock market failure in 1996. During his term (1996–2001) Bangladesh achieved, for the first time, a GDP growth at average rate of 5.83 %. Average rate of inflation was well below 5%. The inflation rate in June 2001 was only 1.53%. Exports rose from $3884m in 1995-96 to $6477m in 2000-2001. Investment in the social sector, (education, health etc.) increased from 21.02% of the total budget in 1995-96 to 24.7% in 2000-2001. The rate of national savings increased over the five-year period of the Awami League from 20.17 to 23.78 percent. Similarly, rate of investment increased from 19.99% in 1995-96 to 23.63% in 2000-2001. The physical infrastructure was improved and modernized. Electricity generating capacity rose from 2105 megawatts to 3600 megawatts. Rice and wheat production in 1995-96 was 190.6 m metric tons. In 2000-2001 the figure rose to 264.91 tons and for the first time in half a century, Bangladesh achieved food self- sufficiency.Expectation of life at birth rose from 58.7 years in 1995-96 to 61.8 years in 2000-2001. Per capita calorie intake went up from 2206.1 to 2274.2 kilocalories in rural areas and from 2220.2 to 2283.3 kilocalories in urban areas during his term as finance minister. Literacy rate for 15 old and above was 47.3 percent in 1995-96; the rate went up to 64 percent in 2000. Infant mortality rate, which was 67 per thousand in 1995-96, went down in 1998 to 57 per thousand live births.
Assassination
On the afternoon of January 27, 2005, Shah Kibria addressed a political rally at the Boidder Bazar primary school, Habiganj. After the speech, as he was exiting the grounds through the school gate, two Arges grenades exploded in quick succession. Three of his companions including his nephew died instantly. Kibria was taken to hospitals at Habiganj and Madhabpur, but no treatment was possible because of lack of personnel and medical supplies. He was then taken to the BIRDEM hospital in DhakaDhaka
Dhaka is the capital of Bangladesh and the principal city of Dhaka Division. Dhaka is a megacity and one of the major cities of South Asia. Located on the banks of the Buriganga River, Dhaka, along with its metropolitan area, had a population of over 15 million in 2010, making it the largest city...
, about 65 miles away from the place of the incidence. As the ambulance carrying Kibria reached BIRDEM, the doctors on duty announced him dead.
The role of the security forces, government officials and medical personnel of Habiganj spurred controversy. Bangladesh Awami League
Bangladesh Awami League
The Bangladesh Awami League , commonly known as the Awami League, is the mainstream center-left, secular political party in Bangladesh...
, Kibria's party, organized anti-government protests and countrywide strikes in protest of the killing. The family members of Kibria called for a non-violent movement in Dhaka demanding justice. On March 21, 2005 the police charged ten people with Habiganj bombing. The widow of Kibria denounced the charges, alleging they are part of a cover up to protect the real culprits.
Writings
Shah Kibria regularly wrote columns in national dailies addressing economic and political issues. He was the founder and editor of the weekly Mridu Bhashan.Kibria authored four books -
- Mridubhashan (1997) ISBN : 984-05-0183-6
- The Emerging New World Order (1999) ISBN : 984-05-1470-9
- Bangladesh at the Crossroads (1999) ISBN : 984-05-1463-6
- Chitta Jetha Bhoyshunya
Personal life
Shah A M S Kibria was known to be a soft-spoken, refined gentleman. His honesty and modesty established him as a highly respected politician in Bangladesh. Kibria's son Dr. Reza Kibria is a renowned economist and his daughter Dr. Nazli Kibria is an associate professor of Sociology at Boston UniversityBoston University
Boston University is a private research university located in Boston, Massachusetts. With more than 4,000 faculty members and more than 31,000 students, Boston University is one of the largest private universities in the United States and one of Boston's largest employers...
. His wife Asma Kibria is a painter.