Bangladesh former PM Moudud Ahmed passes away at 81

Dhaka: Bangladesh erstwhile prime minister Barrister Moudud Ahmed died on Tuesday in Singapore. He was 81.

Barrister Abdullah Al Mahmoud, a junior lawyer in Barrister Moudud Ahmed’s chambers, confirmed it on Tuesday evening.

Moudud, who was member of the BNP’s standing committee, breathed his last at Mount Elizabeth Hospital in Singapore, where he was undergoing treatment since February 1.

Last year, Moudud was admitted to the Apollo Hospital Dhaka after suffering a heart attack. He also complained of chest pain and respiratory problems. Earlier, the BNP leader was admitted to various hospitals in the capital for the treatment of some illness.

Barrister Moudud Ahmed was born on 24 May 1940 in Kompaniganj Upazila of Noakhali district in the Bengal Presidency of British India (now Bangladesh).

He served the nation as law minister, prime minister and vice president of the country. He was one of the founding members of BNP. He had played an important role in the government during the rule of Ziaur Rahman. His association with Ershad in the eighties was a great political surprise.

After Ershad imposed martial law in 1982, the politician was sentenced to 10 years in prison by a special military court.

He also joined Jatiya Party, but soon he returned to the BNP. After the 2001 elections, he served as Minister of Law and Justice. Moudud Ahmed was elected five times from Companiganj Upazila of Noakhali district.