Huq, Rafique-ul
Huq, Rafique-ul (1935–2020) an eminent lawyer, former Attorney General, and philanthropist. Rafique-ul Huq was born on 2 November 1935, in Calcutta. He was a son of Mumin-ul Huque and Noorjahan Begum. Rafique-ul Huq received his intermediate degree from Islamia College, Calcutta. He achieved his B.A, M.A (Philosophy), and LL.B degrees from Calcutta University in 1955, 1957, and 1958 respectively. Rafique-ul Huq got a gold medal from Calcutta University for securing first position in Criminal Law. He obtained his Bar-at-Law degree with distinction in Hindu Law from the UK in 1961.
Rafique-ul Huq's illustrious career as a lawyer began with his enrollment in the Calcutta High Court in 1960. He joined the Dhaka High Court in 1962 and the Supreme Court of Pakistan in 1965. In 1975, he joined the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh as a Senior Advocate. He also served as Attorney General of Bangladesh from 7 April 1990 to 17 December of the same year. In a successful legal career of 60 years, he earned name and fame by handling many important and complex cases, and about 500 cases he dealt with were reported in law books and journals. Huq was the pioneer of the company and corporate law in Bangladesh as well. He was one of the members of the Company Law Reform Committee in 1977.
Barrister Rafique-ul Huq worked with the first government of Bangladesh headed by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in matter of drafting laws, including the Nationalization Order 1972. As a lawyer, he played an important role during the 2007-2009 national political crisis of Bangladesh. During this time, he worked as a lawyer for many political leaders, including Sheikh Hasina, the President of Bangladesh Awami League, and Begum Khaleda Zia, the Chairperson of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). He also made a special contribution to restoring the rule of law and democracy in Bangladesh. Rafique-ul Huq was also as a part-time teacher in the Department of Law, Dhaka University. It was with him that the teaching of 'Hindu Law' started at Dhaka University.
Barrister Rafique-ul Huq was Chairman of the Bangladesh Bar Council Tribunal, Bar Council Election Tribunal, and Bar Council of Bangladesh (1990). He was a member of the Executive Committee of the World Association of Lawyers, Foreign Trade and Investment, and International Taxation. He was a member of the National Committee of Finance, Banking, and Credit, wherein he acted as Chairman of the Finance and Banking Sub-Committee and played a pivotal role in reforming the banking laws. He also played an instrumental role in enacting various laws, including Bangladesh Bank Orders and Private Investment. He was one of the members of the Committee formed to stir up the share market. Rafique-ul Huq was the founder and entrepreneur of Bangladesh Industrial Credit Corporation, National Tea Company Limited, Arab Bangladesh Bank Limited, National Investment and Finance Company Limited (NIFCO), IFIC Bank Limited, and Maldives Bangladesh Bank Limited. Moreover, he was one of the members of the delegation to the UN General Assembly in 1990.
Following the family tradition, Rafique-ul Huq was active in politics in his student life. Barrister Rafique-ul Huq's father, Mumin-ul Huque, was a physician by profession but was also, the Chairman of the 24 Pargana Municipality. Rafique-ul Huq was the elected Social Welfare Secretary of the Calcutta University Students Union. Later, he became the Vice President of the West Bengal Youth Congress. Through this source, he also got the opportunity to work with the then President of the Central Youth Congress, Srimati Indira Gandhi. Former President of India, Pranab Mukherjee was his friend. Rafique-ul Huq was not directly involved in politics during his professional career, but he worked with Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, President Ziaur Rahman, President Hussain Muhammad Ershad, Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Barrister Rafique-ul Huque was a social philanthropist. He has done a lot for the welfare of humanity. His family contributed to the establishment of Islamia Eye Hospital in Dhaka. He played a leading role in the establishment of Dhaka Children's Hospital. He was also involved in establishing and developing more than 25 social organizations, including Ad-Deen Medical College and Hospital, BIRDEM Hospital, and Ahsania Mission Cancer Hospital in Dhaka. He served as Chairman of Ad-Deen Foundation and BARDEM Hospital Management Committee and Secretary General of Dhaka Children's Hospital Management Board. Rafique-ul Huq also established 100-bed Subarna-Ibrahim General Hospital at Chandra, Gazipur, with his funds.
For his outstanding contributions as a lawyer and a philanthropist, Rafique-ul Huq received the Mother Teresa Gold Medal of Calcutta bestowed on him by the US Senate, the Ibrahim Cardiac Hospital Appreciation Award, and the Patron Award of the Freedom Fighters Museum. He was awarded medals by MCCI and the Rotary Club of Dhaka South Lions Club for his contribution to health and cleanliness.
Noted jurist Barrister Rafique-ul Huq breathed his last on 24 October 2020. He was 85 years of age at the time of his death. [Mohammad Siddiqur Rahman Khan]
