Imam, Hossain Toufique
Imam, Hossain Toufiq (1937-2021) popularly known as HT Iamam. A career bureaucrat, Cabinet Secretary to mujibnagar government (1971), first public administration affairs, next political affairs Advisor to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. HT imam was born on 15 January 1937 in Tangail town. His paternal home was in Ullapara under Sirajganj (now district). His father’s name was Tafsir Uddin Ahmed and mother was Tahsim Khatun. His father was a lawyer by profession, while his mother was a housewife. He was the youngest amongst 10 brothers and sisters.
HT Imam passed his Matriculation from Dhaka Collegiate School in 1952 and Intermediate from Pabna Edward College in 1954. After obtaining BA (Honours) degree in Economics from Rajshahi College in 1956, he got himself admitted into Dhaka University where from he had his Masters in Economics in 1958. During 1957-68, he studied in London School of Economics and Political Science (abbreviated as LSC) earning post-graduate Diploma in Development Economics.
He started his career as a Lecturer in Economics in Rajshahi College. Next he joined the Civil Service of Pakistan in 1961 having had brilliant performance in the examination with 4th position in order of merit. With that he had started his long career in civil service. In 1971, he was the Deputy Commissioner (DC) of greater Chittagong Hill Tracts district comprising Rangamati, Khagrachari and Bandharban. He joined the war of liberation from the beginning at the call of Bangabandhu. He in collaboration with political leaders and civil-military forces played an active role in building up resistance against the Pakistani invading army. In 1971, he served as an administrator in the eastern region for some times. Thereafter he went to Calcutta from Assam at the call Prime Minister Tajuddin Ahmad of Mujibnagar government to shoulder the new responsibility as Cabinet Secretary. Alongside political leaderships, HT Imam played a significant role in creating different departments of the government and organizing civil administration in the liberated areas during the War of Liberation.
When the first government in the post-independent Bangladesh was formed under the leadership of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, HT Imam was again made the Cabinet Secretary. He also played a significant role in rehabilitation works and reorganization of administration of the newly born Republic from his position. During his service career, he held important positions in different ministries including Secretary, Department of Road and Transport; Secretary, Planning Division, Ministry of Finance; Member, Planning Commission; Project Director, PATC; and Executive Director, Jamuna Multi-purpose Bridge Authority. During 1996-1997, he was the Chairman of Agrani Bank Limited.
He established many educational institutions in Ullapara and adjoining areas. In 2009 during Sheikh Hasina’s second-term government, HT Imam was made her Public Administration Affairs Advisor and after 2014 elections, political Advisor on the rank and status of a Cabinet Minister. He continued his latest position until his death. Infected with COVID-19, he passed away on 4 March 2021 while he was in treatment in CMH (Combined Military Hospital), Dhaka.
HT Imam is the author of two important books entitled Bangladesh Sarkar 1971 (in Bengali) [Bangladesh Government 1971], (Bangla Academy 2012) and Bangladesh Sarkar 1971-1975 (in Bengali) [Bangladesh Government 1971-1975], (Hakkani Publishers 2013).
Toufiq Imam was married to Ismat Ara Begum in 1957. She died in 2000. This couple left behind 3 daughters and 1 son. [Harun-or-Rashid]
Source HT Imam, Bangladesh Sarkar 1971, (Bangla Academy 2012).
