M. Saifur Rahman: Ex-Bangladesh finance minister dies in car crash

[Al-Zakir]

(AFP) – 2 hours ago

DHAKA — A former Bangladeshi finance minister credited with setting the impoverished country on the path to economic reform died Saturday in a car accident, police said.

M. Saifur Rahman, the second-highest official of the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), was travelling to the capital Dhaka when his car spun out of control and veered into a ditch, police said.

"He was pulled out unconscious from the car crash and was declared dead after being rushed to a hospital," police superintendent Mukhlesur Rahman told AFP.

The 77-year-old politician was Bangladesh's longest-serving finance minister.

He began his political career in 1979-80 as finance minister of the first BNP government. He also served as finance minister in the last BNP government before its tenure ended in 2006 when an army-backed government took over.

The BNP lost to the Awami League in the general elections in December 2008 that restored democracy in the South Asian nation.

He is widely credited with launching Bangladesh's free market reforms and keeping its macroeconomic health stable during the dozen years he was at the helm of the finance ministry.

The percentage of Bangladeshis living below the poverty line dropped sharply during his years as finance minister.

Rahman gradually rolled back the government's stake in businesses and privatised scores of state-owned enterprises.

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[Al-Zakir]

Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un. May Allah accept him as a Mumin banda.

[Xeric]

May he be granted a place in Jannah.

And may Allah grant strength to his family to bear such a loss!

[MBI Munshi]

Former Finance Minister murdered in Bangladesh?

Blitz Exclusive

Former Finance Minister and veteran politician as well Standing Committee member of Bangladesh Nationalist Party [BNP], arch rival of the ruling Bangladesh Awami League was killed this afternoon when a bus hit the vehicle carrying him. Saifur Rahman was on his way back to Dhaka to attend an emergency meeting scheduled for this evening, which was supposed to be chaired by party’s Chairperson and former Prime Minister, Begum Khaleda Zia.

It is learnt from various sources that, during the Saturday evening’s meeting, expulsion orders on a number of senior and mid-level leaders of the party was set to be withdrawn while the party was also set to decide about the return of Tarique Rahman, who’s popularity is suddenly increasing in the country, amid series of failures of the ruling party and massive hooliganism and lawlessness created by the party cadres.

When Bangladeshis are already frustrated with the present government, the opposition is set to take fresh intiatives in strengthening its organizational capacity.

It is learnt that, Saifur Rahman already became a target of a number of influential figures in the ruling party for his role in re-organizing the main opposition party in Bangladesh.

It is whispered that, the ‘road accident’ was pre-planned to kill this important opposition leader in Bangladesh. Some even fear that, this might a part of ruling party’s hidden agenda of cleansing the very existence of political opponents in the country.

LATEST: The news of death of the former finance minister in clash was picked from Reuters and other international news agencies. But, lately Bangladeshi media is continuing to claim that the vehicle carrying the finance minister fell in a ditch as the driver lost control.

Meanwhile, rumors are spreading in the city as well in the home town of the former finance minister.

http://www.weeklyblitz.net/index.php?id=923

[tauheedameen]

He was a relative of Us, and believe me he was the most helpful person. This is a sad moment not only for the whole nation but also for family. May his soul rest in peace.

[Al-Zakir]

Saifur Rahman buried at family graveyard


Mon, Sep 7th, 2009 5:51 pm BdST

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Dhaka, Sept 7 (bdnews24.com)--Bangladesh's longest-serving finance minister M Saifur Rahman was buried on Monday at the family graveyard in Baharmardan of Moulavibazar after he died in a crash crash on Saturday.

The veteran BNP policymaker, credited with liberalising the economy and presenting the budget for unprecedented 12 occasions, was laid to final rest at 5:30pm after a Namaj-e-janaza at Moulavibazar Government High School.

The body reached the school ground at 3:45pm after a Janaza at Shahi Eidgah ground in Sylhet at around 12:50pm.

The septuagenarian BNP leader passed his childhood playing in the school field.

Thousands of people from the four districts in Sylhet division encircled the body to catch one last glimpse of man who singularly channelled scarce fund to develop the infrastructures in the region.

Leaders and activists of local BNP, Awami League and other political parties placed flowers on his coffin in tribute. Many broke down in tears.

Maulana Mizanur Rahman, former Imam of Rahman's village mosque, led the Janaza at 5pm. Moulavibazar district BNP's joint convenor M A Ahad said around 10,000 people participated in the funeral prayers.

Awami League MP for Moulavibazar-4 Syed Mohsin Ali, former BNP foreign minister M Morshed Khan, BNP standing committee member A S M Hannan Shah, former BNP food minister Abdullah Al Noman, Sylhet district BNP convenor Mohammad Ilyas Ali, among others, attended the Janaza.

Earlier, the ambulance carrying the veteran BNP leader from Dhaka reached Shahi Eidgah ground in Sylhet at around 12:50pm.

People from across social and political spectrum paid their last tribute to Rahman at the Sylhet Central Shaheed Minar.

Sylhet mayor Badaruddin Ahmed Kamran laid flowers on the coffin on behalf of all parties.

Among those who attended the janaza were the mayor, Sylhet district BNP convener M Ilias Ali and metropolitan BNP president Shahriar Hossain Chowdhury, Sylhet district Awami League president ANM Shafiqul Haque, central AL organising secretary Misbah Uddin Siraj, Sylhet metropolitan Jamaat-e-Islami chief Ehsanul Mahbub Jubayer, former whip Fazlul Haque Aspia and former MPs Kalim Uddin Milon and Dildar Hossain Selim.

Saifur Rahman was not only the pride of Sylhet, but the whole country, speakers said at a brief discussion held on the life of the former finance minister after the janaza.

His loss is irreparable, they said.

Senior BNP leader Abdullah Al Noman said it was due to Saifur's earnest efforts that Bangladesh government can now tailor budget without depending on others.

Rahman's son Kaiser Rahman Titu requested all to pray for the salvation of the departed soul.

He also sought forgiveness from all if his father did any wrong with anybody.

Earlier, mayor Kamran, Ilias Ali and metropolitan BNP president Shahriar Hossain Chowdhury received the coffin.

The coffin was kept at Central Shaheed Minar for the public to pay their last respects.

BNP on Sunday demanded that the veteran leader should be buried with state honour.

Secretary-general Khandaker Delwar Hossain made the demand to the government in a news conference at 11pm his old Dhaka house.

Rahman's Qulkhwani will be held at Gulshan Azad Mosque on Friday after Asr prayers.

Ruling and opposition members of parliament, family, friends, supporters and people from all walks of life paid tribute to the veteran politician in three separate namaj-e-janaza in the capital on Sunday.

http://www.bdnews24.com/details.php?...id=142108&hb=4