Ex-MP Mosharraf passes away

Eminent business personality and politician Muhammad Mosharraf Hossain passed away on Monday evening at the age of 74.

He took his last breath at about 7:00pm at the United Hospital in Dhaka seven hours after he was taken to the hospital, family sources said. He was suffering from heart-related complications and took treatment in Singapore for a couple of occasions.

He left behind his wife, three daughters and a host of relatives and admirers to mourn his death. His first Namaz-e-Janaza will be held at the BNP office in Naya Paltan at 10:00am today (Tuesday) followed by a second one at the South Plaza of the parliament at 11:00am, and after Zohr prayers at Sonagazi in Feni. His body will be flown back to Dhaka. He will be buried at Banani Graveyard in the capital after holding his fourth Namaz-e-Janaza at Azad Mosque in Gulshan after Asar prayers. Muhammad Mosharraf Hossain, who was born on January 22, 1940 in a respectable family of Sonagazi Upazila under Feni district, had a chequered career in the country’s business and political arenas. He was chairman of the country’s leading manpower-export organisation Bay Eastern Ltd. He was also the president of Bangladesh Association of International Recruiting Agencies (BAIRA) and played a remarkable role in sending Bangladeshi workers to different countries, especially in the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia. At the early stage, he was the president of the BGMEA (Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association) and had a great contribution to flourishing the readymade garment industry in the country.

He was one of the sponsor-directors of the International Publications Limited (IPL), the owning company of The Financial Express (FE).  Although he was involved with various political and social activities, he got engaged in politics actively in 1995.

He was for the first time elected Member of Parliament (MP) in 1996. Later, he was elected MP for two consecutive terms in 2001 and 2008. He was also a member of BNP Chairperson’s Advisory Council until he breathed for the last. Mosharraf Hossain had served as Chairman and Member of three Parliamentary Standing Committees, including that of the Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts, the Ministry of Information and the Ministry of Labour.  “As a social worker, Mosharraf Hossain was always associated with the people of Greater Noakhali whom he served by all possible means,” said a family member.