The nation mourns the loss of a distinguished statesman and a titan of civil society, M. Hafizuddin Khan, who passed away on Wednesday evening, 21 January 2026. The former advisor to the Caretaker Government breathed his last at a medical facility in Uttara, Dhaka, at the age of 91. His passing marks the end of a lifelong crusade for transparency and accountability in the Bangladeshi administrative and political landscape.
Mr Khan’s cousin, Liakat Ali, confirmed that the veteran reformer had been battling age-related complications. He leaves behind his wife and two daughters, both currently residing in Canada, alongside a legacy of unimpeachable integrity that inspired generations of civil servants.
A Career Defined by Integrity
A career bureaucrat of the highest order, M. Hafizuddin Khan rose through the ranks of the civil service to serve as the Secretary of the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications. His expertise in fiscal matters and his reputation for being “incorruptible” led to his appointment as an Advisor to the 2001 Caretaker Government. During this pivotal period, he held the critical portfolios of Finance and Planning, ensuring the nation’s economic machinery remained steady during a volatile democratic transition.
Following his formal retirement, Mr Khan transitioned into one of the country’s most prominent civil society leaders. He was a founding pillar of SHUJAN (Citizens for Good Governance), serving as the President of its Central Executive Committee, and held the prestigious position of Chairman of Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB).
M. Hafizuddin Khan: A Life in Service
| Period | Organisation / Body | Key Role / Designation |
| 2001 | Caretaker Government | Advisor (Finance, Planning & Coordination) |
| Pre-Retirement | Govt. of Bangladesh | Secretary (Posts & Telecommunications) |
| Post-Retirement | TIB | Chairman of the Board of Trustees |
| Post-Retirement | SHUJAN | President, Central Executive Committee |
| Banking Sector | Agrani, Rupali, BASIC | Chairman (Agrani) and Director (Rupali/BASIC) |
A Guardian of Public Institutions
In addition to his political and advocacy roles, Mr Khan was a significant figure in the financial sector. He served as the Chairman of Agrani Bank and held directorships at Rupali Bank and BASIC Bank. His tenure in these state-owned banks was marked by a relentless pursuit of fiscal discipline and an attempt to insulate the banking sector from political interference.
For the past fifteen years, he had lived a relatively quiet life in his Uttara residence, though he remained an active intellectual voice. He was a frequent contributor to national dailies, often warning against the erosion of democratic institutions and the rising tide of corruption.
His death has prompted a wave of tributes from across the political and social spectrum. Colleagues remember him as a man who lived simply but thought deeply—a rare figure who successfully bridged the gap between the rigid world of bureaucracy and the passionate world of civic advocacy.