Name A. Zahiruddin | Died March 29, 2005 | |
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A. M. Zahiruddin Khan (July 5, 1936 – March 29, 2005) was a Bangladeshi freedom fighter, industrialist and politician.
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Early life
He was the eldest son of Mr. A. K. Khan, a former minister. He studied at St. Paul's School in Darjeeling, India, later on at Aitchison College, Lahore, Pakistan.
Career
In 1958 he became the Managing Director of A K Khan & Company and later Chairman in 1991. He was also the founding Chairman of AKTEL and Chairman of COATS Bangladesh, Bengal Fisheries Ltd. He was the President of Chittagong Chamber of Commerce & Industry (CCCI) from two consecutive terms. In 1977 he was elected President of Federation of Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce & Industry (FBCCI). 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 Istanbul Conference in 1977. He also participated in the International Labour Organization (ILO) conference in Geneva in 1975 as representative of Bangladesh Employers. He 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 Investment Corporation of Bangladesh (ICB) and Director of Sadharan Bima Corporation. He also served as Chairman of Sonali Bank.
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 became a member of Begum Khaleda Zia's cabinet in 1991 as Planning Minister and later as Industries Minister.
As Planning Minister, he initiated the Coastal 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 François Mitterrand of France as the representative of the Bangladesh Government.