Former Ambassador M Munir-Uz-Zaman passes away
Eminent former secretary and ambassador M Munir-Uz-Zaman died at his home at 2pm on 28 May 2026, aged 90. A veteran bureaucrat and member of the 1958 Civil Service of Pakistan, he passed away due to complications of old age.
Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi rajiun.
He was 90.
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His passing marks the loss of a distinguished bureaucrat and diplomat who held key public offices throughout a long and illustrious career, leaving behind a legacy that will be remembered by colleagues and citizens alike.
An illustrious alumnus of the University of Dhaka, the University of Cambridge, and Williams College, Munir-Uz-Zaman was celebrated for his steadfast commitment to public service and unwavering devotion to the national interest, inspiring many who followed in his footsteps. Building on a strong academic foundation, he dedicated his life to serving the nation.
He began his career as a Bengali member of the 1958 batch of the erstwhile Civil Service of Pakistan.
Before Bangladesh's independence, he served as SDO of Kishoreganj, ADC of Comilla, DC of Bogra, Deputy Secretary of the External Finance Division of the Central Government of Pakistan, and Chairman of EPSCIC, further establishing his reputation as a skilled administrator.
Following independence, his career continued to flourish as he served as secretary to several ministries and divisions, including Power, Water, Energy and Mineral Resources; Civil Aviation and Tourism; Relief and Disaster Management; Environment and Climate Change; and the External Resources Division (now Economic Relations Division under the Ministry of Finance).
After retirement, he leveraged his experience and was appointed Senior Consultant at the World Bank Group.
He later served as Chief Consultant to former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia on the White Paper Cell, and subsequently as Bangladesh's ambassador to the Philippines before retiring from public life, thus continuing his influential contributions beyond official retirement.
Born into a legacy of public service, he was the eldest son of the late M Tofazzal Hossain, former MLA of the Bengal Legislative Assembly in British Bengal and a respected Calcutta-educated zamindar in Chowgacha, Jashore.
He is survived by his wife, two sons, five grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.
His first namaz-e-janaza will be held at Gulshan Azad Mosque after Juma prayers on Friday, 29 May 2026.
