United News of Bangladesh

Former state minister for health and family welfare and Managing Director of Acme Laboratories Ltd and Acme Group Mizanur Rahman Sinha died in Singapore early Saturday while undergoing treatment. He was 83. Contacted, Munshiganj-2 lawmaker Abdus Salam Azad said Sinha died at around 2:00am at a hospital in Singapore after prolonged illness. “He had long been undergoing treatment there. Efforts are underway to bring his body back to Bangladesh. Details will be announced later,” Salam said. Sinha’s daughter and Deputy Managing Director of Acme Tasnim Sinha also confirmed her father’s death in a Facebook post. Mizanur Rahman was nominated by BNP from Munshiganj-2 (Louhajang-Tongibari) constituency for the 13th parliamentary election. But after he fell ill, BNP Joint Secretary General Abdus Salam Azad was nominated in his place. He was elected MP from the constituency in the seventh parliamentary election in 1996 and again in the eighth parliamentary election in 2001 as a BNP candidate. Following the 2001 election, he served as state minister for health and family welfare in the cabinet led by former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia. Apart from serving as treasurer of BNP’s central executive committee, he was also convener of the district BNP. Mizanur Rahman Sinha was born on August 18, 1943, in Dohuri village of Kolma Union under Louhajang upazila in Munshiganj district. His father was Hamidur Rahman Sinha and mother Nurjahan Sinha. He spent part of his childhood in Kolkata before completing higher secondary education at Government Tolaram College in Narayanganj. He later earned a degree in business studies from the University of Dhaka. Sinha began his professional career in 1964 at Habib Bank. After the death of his father, he joined the family-founded Acme Group in 1975 and became its managing director in 1983. He became involved in politics during his student life. While studying at Government Tolaram College, he was elected general secretary of the student union as its candidate in the student union election. Later, he joined BNP. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and BNP lawmakers from Munshiganj expressed deep sorrow at his death and conveyed sympathy to the bereaved family. He also prayed for the salvation of the departed soul.  

Popular young content creator and actress Kaarina Kaisar has passed away while undergoing treatment in Chennai, India, due to liver-related complications. She was 31. The daughter of former national football team captain Kaisar Hamid and granddaughter of chess legend Rani Hamid, during her short life Kaarina became known for her engaging digital content, acting projects, and strong social media presence.  The news of her death was confirmed by Kasar Hamid himself, who wrote on his Facebook page at 1.30am (Saturday): “It is with great sadness that I inform you that my dearest daughter Kaarina Kaisar has left us while undergoing treatment in Chennai a while ago. If my daughter has done any wrong or has caused any trouble to anyone, please forgive her. I express my gratitude to those who were by our side, prayed for us, and cooperated with us during this difficult time. Everyone please pray, may Allah grant her paradise. Amen.” Earlier on Monday night, Kaarina was taken to Chennai by air ambulance for advanced treatment after being placed on life support due to serious liver complications. Kaarina was accompanied by her mother, Lopa Kaisar, while her two brothers, Mustafa S. Hamid and Sadat Hamid, travelled as potential liver donors. Kaarina suffered liver failure on May 8 and was later placed on life support. Family sources said she had been unwell for several days. After being admitted to hospital, doctors reportedly detected an infection and confirmed that she had contracted Hepatitis A.  

Former minister and veteran freedom fighter Engr Mosharraf Hossain died on Wednesday morning at a private hospital in Dhaka. He was 83. He was declared dead around 10:15 am, his eldest son Sayedur Rahman Sumu told the media. Mosharraf, a presidium member of Awami League (now facing a ban on its activities), had been suffering from multiple age-related complications. He was admitted to Square Hospital in Dhaka about a month ago where he was treated for pneumonia and other complications. He is survived by wife, four children, grandchildren and a host of admirers. Family sources said his namaj-e-janaza will be held after Asr prayers on Thursday at Mohajonhat Fazlur Rahman School and College ground in Mirsarai upazila of Chattogram. A janaza is also planned in Dhaka but the venue and time are yet to be finalised. Engineer Mosharraf Hossain was a six-time Member of Parliament from Chattogram-1 (Mirsarai) and served in several key ministerial roles including as Minister for Housing and Public Works. He was born on January 12, 1943, at Dhum village of Mirsarai upazila in Chattogram. He completed his secondary education at Chittagong Collegiate School and higher secondary education at Sir Ashutosh Government College. He later earned a BSc in Mining Engineering from the University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore in 1966. During his student life, he was involved in the Six-Point Movement and served as president of the East Pakistan Students’ Union. After returning home, he joined Awami League under the leadership of MA Aziz. He was elected a member of the then East Pakistan Provincial Assembly in 1970. After independence, he was elected member of parliament in 1973, 1986, 1996, 2008, 2014 and 2018. During the Liberation War in 1971, he served as sub-sector commander of Sector 1 and took part in several operations including the demolition of the Shuvopur Bridge to resist advancing Pakistani forces. After independence, he was one of the framers of Bangladesh’s Constitution in 1972. In 1986, he served as the Opposition Whip in Parliament and after the Awami League formed the government in 1996, he held the posts of Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister and Housing and Public Works Minister. In 2015, he again assumed the responsibility Housing and Public Works Minister. In October last year, he was arrested by the interim government led by Professor Yunus after the fall of the Awami League government on August 5, 2024. He was later shifted from the prison hospital to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University Hospital. Following his deteriorating condition, his wife Ayesha Sultana made several written appeals to the chief adviser of the intrim government seeking his bail and better medical treatment. He was granted bail while in intensive care, after which his health condition further worsened.

A namaz-e-janaza for Commerce Secretary Mahbubur Rahman, who passed away on Friday morning, was held after Jummah prayers at the Secretary Apartment Complex in the capital’s Eskaton area. Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir, State Minister for Public Administration Md Abdul Bari, Cabinet Secretary Dr Nasimul Ghani and Senior Secretary of the Land Ministry ASM Saleh Ahmed, among others, attended the janaza. Senior government officials, business leaders, public and family members were also present. Special prayers were offered seeking eternal peace for the departed soul. Recalling his brief working experience with the late secretary, the commerce minister said he had the opportunity to work with Mahbubur Rahman for about two months and found him to be a sincere and efficient officer devoted to his duties and the country. Mahbubur Rahman passed away around 6:25am on Friday while undergoing treatment at a city hospital. He was admitted to the hospital on April 13 after falling ill, with his platelet count dropping to a critical level. During treatment, he was diagnosed with malaria while under close observation. According to family sources, he will be laid to rest in Gacha area of Gazipur.

Commerce Ministry Secretary Mahbubur Rahman passed away early Friday at a hospital in the capital. He was 58. He breathed his last around 6:25am while undergoing treatment at a private hospital, said Md Kamal Hossain, senior information officer of the ministry. Rahman was admitted to the hospital on April 13 following a sharp drop in blood platelet levels. He was later diagnosed with malaria. He is survived by his wife and three daughters. Mahbubur Rahman was an officer of the 13th BCS (Customs and Excise) cadre. Mahbubur Rahman was an officer of the 13th BCS (Customs and Excise) cadre. He began his career as an Assistant Commissioner at the National Board of Revenue under the Internal Resources Division of the Ministry of Finance. He later served in various key positions in the Customs and VAT departments for around one and a half decades. Until December 2010, he worked as Deputy Commissioner, Joint Commissioner and Additional Commissioner at different Customs Houses, Customs, Excise and VAT Commissionerates, as well as the National Board of Revenue, demonstrating efficiency and professionalism. He was later promoted to the rank of Secretary and most recently served as Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce, where he was dedicated to advancing the country’s trade and economic development.

The 5th death anniversary of noted journalist Hasan Shahriar, former president of the Jatiya Press Club (JPC) and ex-executive editor of Dainik Ittefaq, will be observed on Friday. Doa mahfils will be held in a family setting at his residence in Sunamganj, at Segunbagicha in Dhaka, and in Sylhet. Hasan Shahriar passed away at a hospital in Dhaka in 2021. He retired from Dainik Ittefaq in 2008 after a long career as its executive editor. He also served as the founding editor of Daily Sun and chief editor of the Chattogram-based daily People’s View. During his career, Shahriar worked as Bangladesh correspondent for several international publications, including Newsweek, Khaleej Times, Deccan Herald, The Indian Express, The Asian Age, as well as Pakistan’s Morning News, Dawn and Evening Star. He was a former president of the Overseas Correspondents Association Bangladesh (OCAB), and later served as International President Emeritus of the Toronto-based Commonwealth Journalists Association (CJA). In recognition of his contribution to journalism, he was awarded a fellowship by Bangla Academy, while the Bangladesh Press Council conferred a posthumous honour on him. Remembered as a fearless journalist, Shahriar upheld the principles of truth and integrity throughout his career and never compromised on professional ethics despite challenges. He completed his schooling at Sunamganj Government Jubilee High School and Sunamganj College, and earned his BA (Hons) and MA degrees from the University of Karachi.

Uttara University has expressed deep sorrow at the death of its teacher Dr Dulali Rani Saha, an assistant professor at the Department of Education. In a Facebook post on Friday, the university said Dulali Rani’s dedication to education, warm personality and lasting contributions to the academic community will ever be remembered with great respect. It described her as one of the institution's pioneering members and a dependable colleague who could always be relied upon. Her death is a loss not only for the university but also for the country, which has lost a remarkable educator. The Uttara University family prayed for eternal peace of her departed soul and extended heartfelt condolences to her bereaved family. Dulali Rani passed away around 10:30pm on Thursday.  

The 47th death anniversary of late Chief Justice Syed Mahbub Murshed, an eminent jurist will be observed on Friday. Quran Khani and Fateha Khani will be held at 10:00am at the late justice’s grave at Banani graveyard, said a press release. The Syed Mahbub Murshed Memorial Committee will also place floral wreaths at his grave to pay tribute. A luminary in the judicial field in South Asia and a respected figure in the political arena, Justice Murshed has been described by intellectuals as “a keeper of the national conscience”. As in previous years, various socio-cultural organisations will hold discussion meetings to observe the occasion. These programmes will highlight Justice Murshed’s striking personality, his historical role and his contributions.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Saturday expressed deep sorrow at the death of Dilara Hafiz, wife of Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad and an educationist. In a condolence message, the Prime Minister said Dilara Hafiz was a distinguished educationist and social worker. “With her death, the nation has lost a respected and dedicated educationist,” he said. Dilara Hafiz passed away at Singapore General Hospital at 1:29pm Singapore time on Saturday. She was 78. She is survived by husband, one son, one daughter, grandchildren and many well-wishers. During her long career, Dilara Hafiz made important contributions to the development of education in the country. She served as principal of Eden Mohila College and Suhrawardy College at different times. She also served as Director General of the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education under the Ministry of Education.

Dilara Hafiz, wife of Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad, passed away at a hospital in Singapore on Saturday. She was 78. She breathed her last at Singapore General Hospital at 1:29pm (Singapore time), said BNP Media Cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan. Dilara is survived by husband, one son, one daughter, grandchildren and many well-wishers to mourn her death. Her body will be brought back to Bangladesh on Saturday evening, Sayrul said. He said Dilara’s first namaz-e-janaza will be held on March 30 at 11:00am at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad, while the second janaza will be held after Johr prayers at the central mosque in Dhaka Cantonment. She will be laid to rest at Banani Military Graveyard, Sayrul added. Sayrul said Dilara Hafiz had been receiving treatment at the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) in Dhaka for a long time. As her condition did not improve as expected she was taken to Singapore on the afternoon of Eid-ul-Fitr, he added.