President, Prime Minister mourn death of Shawkat Ali

President Mohammad Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have expressed their deep shocks at the death of former Deputy Speaker of the Jatiya Sangsad Colonel (Retd) Shawkat Ali.

In a condolence message, the President said  Shawkat Ali worked for the development of the spirit of independence and the Liberation War throughout his life being loyal to the ideal of Bangabandhu.

Despite being a military officer, the courageous role he had played for the freedom of the country risking his life is really unparalleled.

The President said that the country has lost a great heroic freedom fighter and social worker at his death. The nation will remember the contributions of Shawkat Ali with respect, he said.

The President prayed for the salvation of the departed soul and conveyed his deepest condolences to the bereaved family members.

Besides, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina also expressed deep shock and sorrow at the death of former deputy speaker Shawkat Ali.

In her condolence message, she recalled with great gratitude the historic 'Agartala Conspiracy Case' which was filed against Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 1969 by the then Pakistani rulers and Shawkat Ali had to live with Bangabandhu in jail due to the case.

Shawkat Ali was the number 26 accused of that case.

“The nation will remember the contributions of Shawkat Ali forever for the struggle of independence, great Liberation War and strengthening parliamentary democracy in Bangladesh,” she said in the message.

Sheikh Hasina also mentioned that the country has lost a senior leader while she has lost a trusted colleague at his death.

She prayed for the eternal salvation of the departed soul and expressed sympathy to the bereaved family.

State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury also expressed shock at the death of the valiant freedom fighter and sought eternal peace of the departed soul.

Shawkat Ali passed away during undergoing treatment at Combined Military Hospital in Dhaka early today.