Md. Hafizur Rahman

Mohammad Hafizur Rahman
Born	Template:Birth date Kawrat, Noapara, Kendua, Mymensingh district, Bengal Presidency, British India (present-day Netrokona District, Bangladesh)
Died	May 15, 1984(1984-05-15) (aged 81)
Occupation(s)	Civil servant, government minister
Years active	1925–1965
Known for	Minister of Food and Agriculture of Pakistan (1958–1960), Minister of Commerce of Pakistan (1960–1962), Finance Minister of East Pakistan (1962–1965)

Mohammad Hafizur Rahman (, ; 2 June 1902 – 15 May 1984), widely recognized as Md. Hafizur Rahman (মো: হাফিজুর রহমান), was a distinguished civil servant and government minister whose professional journey extended through British India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. Originating from a Bengali Muslim household, he progressed from a rural background in Mymensingh to occupy significant administrative positions after earning honors in Economics at the University of Dhaka.

His career commenced as an assistant lecturer at Dhaka University before he entered the Bengal Civil Service, where he climbed the ranks from assistant secretary to joint secretary and director within various governmental departments.

After the establishment of Pakistan in 1947, Hafizur Rahman assumed critical roles such as Chief Controller of Jute Regulations and District Magistrate. He also functioned as Joint Secretary in the food and agriculture ministries, representing Pakistan on international platforms.

During Ayub Khan’s administration, he was appointed Minister of Food and Agriculture of Pakistan in 1958 and subsequently Minister of Commerce of Pakistan in 1960. He led multiple delegations to international forums advocating for economic equality between East and West Pakistan. Disagreeing with Ayub Khan’s policies and following the 1962 Constitution which empowered provincial governments, he relinquished his federal posts to serve as East Pakistan’s Minister of Finance and Planning until his retirement in 1965.

After stepping down, he remained active in initiatives aimed at economic advancement in East Pakistan. Following Bangladesh’s independence, Hafizur Rahman played a vital role in reconstructing the war-affected economy through senior advisory positions and leadership roles within government and industry.

His enduring contribution lies in championing provincial autonomy and promoting the creation of distinct industrial establishments for East Pakistan, efforts that significantly influenced the six-point movement reshaping Pakistan’s political dynamics.

Early life and education

Born on 26 January 1900 into a Bengali Muslim family at Kawrat, Noapara, Kendua in Mymensingh district (present-day Netrokona District, Bangladesh), Hafizur Rahman was the son of Munshi Zainul Abedin, who served as a mosque Imam. He was the second child among six brothers and four sisters. Demonstrating academic excellence throughout his schooling, he secured scholarships from primary education to postgraduate studies. He completed his Matriculation at Mymensingh Zilla School in 1919 and earned first-class honors degrees in Economics from the University of Dhaka—achieving his Bachelor of Arts in 1924 followed by a Master of Arts in 1925.

Entering public service by joining the Bengal Civil Service in 1926, Hafizur Rahman held numerous administrative appointments including Deputy Secretary for Public Health and Local Self-Government in undivided Bengal by 1947; Director of Textiles for East Pakistan; Director of Procurement and Distribution within Civil Supplies; and Chief Controller of Jute Regulations. Elevated to the Civil Service of Pakistan in 1951, he served as Joint Secretary to East Pakistan’s Planning Board and later at the federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture until his retirement in 1957.

Post-retirement, he was designated Officer on Special Duty with divisional commissioner rank within East Pakistan’s Department of Food. In recognition of his distinguished service, he was awarded the Sitara-e-Quaid-e-Azam in March 1958. Subsequently, Hafizur Rahman joined the Presidential Cabinet as Minister for Food and Agriculture (1958–1959) followed by Minister for Commerce (1959–1962). From 1962 onward, he undertook the role of Finance Minister for East Pakistan, managing planning and industrial sectors while successfully leading international missions to secure foreign assistance, notably negotiating aid during a delegation visit to Tokyo in 1964.

His leadership extended across numerous commercial and industrial enterprises where he held positions such as Director of State Bank Pakistan; Chairman of Great Eastern Insurance Company Ltd., National Ceramic Industries Ltd., Pakistan Jute and Gunnies Exchange Ltd., Eastern Milk Products Co-operative Union Ltd.; Vice-Chairman of Industrial Promotion Services; along with directorships at Investment Corporation of Pakistan and Karnafully Rayon and Chemicals Ltd.

Early career (1925-1951)

Upon completing his studies in 1925, Hafizur Rahman began his professional journey as an assistant lecturer at Dhaka University. Shortly thereafter, on 8 July 1926, he entered the Bengal Civil Service. From August 1928 until July 1938, he held the position of Magistrate Revenue Officer in several districts throughout Bengal and also served as Assistant Registrar of Cooperative Societies. In 1942, he advanced to assistant secretary within the Home (Defense) Department and subsequently acted as deputy secretary overseeing public health and local self-government matters until the creation of Pakistan in 1947.

Following the partition, Hafizur Rahman occupied significant administrative posts such as Additional District Magistrate in Dhaka, Director of Textiles for East Pakistan, Director of Procurement and Distribution in Civil Supplies, and District Magistrate of Barisal.

Civil Service of Pakistan (1951-1957)

Elevated to the Civil Service of Pakistan in 1951, Hafizur Rahman assumed responsibilities including Chief Controller of Jute Regulations and District Magistrate of Backergunge District by 1953. He represented Pakistan at international gatherings, notably participating in the 1954 ECOSOC Conference held in Geneva.

Subsequently, he served as Joint Secretary at East Pakistan’s Planning Board and later within Pakistan’s Ministry of Food and Agriculture until his retirement from the CSP in 1957. That same year, he was appointed Officer on Special Duty with the rank of Divisional Food Commissioner in East Pakistan’s Department of Food, a role he maintained until his dismissal by Governor General Iskandar Ali Mirza.

Minister of Food and Agriculture (1958-1960)

Following Muhammad Ayub Khan’s rise to power in October 1958, Hafizur Rahman was named Minister of Food and Agriculture within Pakistan's federal government. In 1959, he led Pakistan’s delegation to the 10th session of the Food and Agriculture Organization conference held in Rome. To study agricultural techniques across Europe, he visited countries including Spain, the United Kingdom, Holland, Turkey, and Syria.

Rahman launched a short-term initiative aimed at increasing agricultural output by installing 500 tube wells and 3,000 open wells throughout Pakistan. He also supervised a large-scale regulated irrigation scheme covering nearly six million acres in East Pakistan, significantly improving water management and crop production.

Minister of Commerce (1960-1962)

In 1960, following a cabinet reshuffle, Hafizur Rahman was appointed Minister of Commerce and intermittently managed Tourism affairs. As a federal minister representing East Pakistan alongside colleagues such as A. K. Khan, Muhammad Ibrahim, and Habibur Rahman, he actively advocated for the region’s development.

He attributed economic imbalances between East and West Pakistan to earlier political shortcomings that failed to safeguard East Pakistan’s interests. While acknowledging increased governmental investment—annual development spending rose from 170.2 million rupees (1955–58) to 310.9 million rupees (1958–60)—he emphasized that more substantial measures were necessary to resolve persistent disparities. This economic focus contributed to the emergence of later six-point demands; however, frequent ministerial portfolio changes were employed to curtail Bengali ministers’ influence.

During his tenure, Hafizur Rahman led critical trade negotiations and diplomatic efforts to strengthen economic partnerships:

• In June 1960, he hosted Northern Nigeria’s Prime Minister Ahmadu Bello in Karachi to discuss bilateral cooperation.
• On 12 January 1960, he signed a Treaty of Friendship with U.S. Ambassador William M. Rountree that granted favored nation status while reducing trade barriers.
• In March 1960, he headed a delegation to New Delhi for negotiations on the Indo-Pakistan Trade Agreement with Lal Bahadur Shastri.
• In May 1961, he led ministerial talks in Burma focusing on rice imports essential for Pakistan’s food security.
• On 6 November 1961, he welcomed a U.S. Investment Development Mission aimed at expanding trade in manufactured goods destined for American markets.
• In December 1961, he finalized agreements concerning rice imports with Burmese trade officials.
• In January 1962, Hafizur Rahman initiated trade discussions with Ceylon (present-day Sri Lanka) to enhance bilateral commerce.

Following the adoption of the March 1962 constitution—which centralized executive authority under President Ayub Khan and further alienated East from West Pakistan—Hafizur Rahman chose to join East Pakistan’s provincial government. That same month at an international jute conference, he stressed stabilizing prices through mechanisms like buffer stocks to benefit both producers and buyers.

In May 1962, leading a trade promotion mission across Middle Eastern countries:

• He secured a formal trade agreement with Iraq facilitating exchanges involving rice, jute products, electrical goods for cement supplies, petroleum items, and dates.
• In Beirut, he explored opportunities to expand commercial ties with Lebanon’s agriculture and commerce sectors.
• He conducted a similar mission in Cairo aimed at broadening trade relations with the United Arab Republic.
• On 20 May 1962 in Tehran, he signed a Trade and Payments Agreement with Iran intended to revive bilateral commerce.

Upon returning from this Middle Eastern tour on 28 May 1962, Hafizur Rahman resigned as federal Commerce Minister and was appointed Finance and Planning Minister for East Pakistan under the newly established provincial government framework.

Minister of Finance and Planning (1962–1965)

On 29 May 1962, Hafizur Rahman assumed the role of Finance Minister for East Pakistan. One of his early priorities was to resolve the tea shortage by ensuring adequate local supplies, explaining that the deficit stemmed from substantial tea exports necessary to support East Pakistan's economic progress.

In March 1964, Rahman headed a delegation to Tokyo where he secured financial aid and agreements related to the establishment of a steel mill. This project was considered crucial for alleviating poverty and fostering industrial growth within the region. He finalized credit arrangements with Japan amounting to ¥9,000 million to fund these efforts.

During January 1965, Rahman engaged in discussions with British Overseas Development Minister Barbara Castle in Dacca, aiming to obtain UK assistance for development initiatives designed to address economic imbalances in East Pakistan.

Throughout his tenure, Rahman also managed the Commerce and Industry portfolios. He actively championed policies intended to reduce disparities between East and West Pakistan by promoting independent industrial units in East Pakistan that leveraged its economic and geographic strengths. He stressed the importance of industrialization as a means to generate employment and achieve economic equilibrium, urging industrialists and financial institutions to boost capital formation within the region.

His contributions extended to significant development projects such as the Chalna Anchorage, establishment of a milk processing plant in Dacca, construction of bridges, and introduction of mechanized agriculture. Rahman concluded his service in 1965.

Post Retirement

Following his retirement, Hafizur Rahman dedicated himself to advancing economic progress in underdeveloped areas of East Pakistan. He was appointed Honorary Adviser to the Pakistan Industrial Credit and Investment Corporation (PICIC), where he supervised operations in East Pakistan with the goal of enhancing support for less developed zones, drawing on his extensive experience as a former Central and Finance Minister.

After Bangladesh achieved independence, Rahman played an active role in revitalizing the war-affected economy during Ziaur Rahman's presidency.

Commercial and industrial involvement

In addition to his government service, Hafizur Rahman held prominent leadership roles across various commercial and industrial organizations.

Positions

• Founder and Chairman, Great Eastern Insurance Company (1965–1972)
• Chairman, Alfa Tobacco until 1972
• Chairman, Tea Enquiry Committee (1968)
• Chairman, National Ceramic Industries of Pakistan Ltd
• Chairman, Pakistan Jute and Gunnies Exchange Ltd
• Chairman, Eastern Milk Products
• Chairman, Co-operative Union Ltd
• Chairman, Prices Enquiry Committee
• Chairman, Food and Agriculture Council, Pakistan
• Chairman, Pakistan Insurance Corporation (1969–1970)
• Chairman, National Insurance Corporation (1972–1973)
• Vice-Chairman, Industrial Promotion Services of Pakistan
• Director, State Bank of Pakistan (1966–1971)
• Director, National Bank of Pakistan
• Director, Investment Corporation of Pakistan (from inception until 1971)
• Director, Karnafully Rayon and Chemicals
• President, Dhaka University Alumni Association (1973–1975)

Awards and recognition

• Sitara-e-Quaid-e-Azam (Star of the Great Leader) awarded by the Government of Pakistan in March 1958
• Grand Cross of the Civil Order of Agriculture bestowed by Spain

Personal life and legacy

Hafizur Rahman had a passion for traveling and enjoyed reading as well as gardening. He was married to Anwara Begum and fathered two sons along with four daughters. His son, Anisur Rahman, played a role in developing the two-economy theory that shaped the 6-Point Programme during Bangladesh’s struggle for independence. His daughter, Husne Ara Kamal, who served as director at Dhaka University’s Institute of Social Welfare and Research, was married to Mustafa Kamal, who later became the Chief Justice of Bangladesh. Among his grandchildren, Nashid Kamal is recognized as a distinguished vocalist and author specializing in Nazrul music. Through the marriages of his granddaughters, prominent businessmen Ismail Sattar and ASM Mainuddin Monem became his grandsons-in-law. Hafizur Rahman’s great-granddaughter, Armeen Musa, has earned a Grammy nomination as a singer-songwriter. Hafizur Rahman died on 15 May 1984, with his funeral taking place at Dhaka’s Tiptop Mosque.