Hafiz Uddin Ahmad

Hafiz Uddin Ahmad
BB FIFA OOM
হাফিজ উদ্দিন আহমদ
Hafiz in 2026
14th Speaker of the Jatiya Sangsad
Incumbent
Assumed office
12 March 2026
DeputyKayser Kamal
Preceded byShirin Sharmin Chaudhury
Ministerial positions
Minister for Liberation War Affairs
In office
17 February 2026 – 12 March 2026
Prime MinisterTarique Rahman
Preceded byFaruk-e-Azam
Succeeded byAhmed Azam Khan
Minister for Commerce
In office
24 April 2006 – 29 October 2006
Prime MinisterKhaleda Zia
Preceded byAltaf Hossain Chowdhury
Succeeded byFaruk Khan
Minister for Water Resources
In office
22 May 2003 – 29 October 2006
Prime MinisterKhaleda Zia
Preceded byL. K. Siddiqi
Succeeded byRamesh Chandra Sen
Minister for Jute
In office
10 October 2001 – 22 May 2003
Prime MinisterKhaleda Zia
Preceded byA. K. Faezul Huq
Succeeded byLutfor Rahman Khan Azad
State Minister for Commerce
In office
19 March 1996 – 30 March 1996
Prime MinisterKhaleda Zia
Preceded byAbdus Sattar
Succeeded byBarkat Ullah Bulu
Member of Parliament
Incumbent
Assumed office
17 February 2026
Preceded byNurunnabi Chowdhury
ConstituencyBhola-3
In office
10 July 1986 – 27 October 2006
Preceded byConstituency established
Succeeded byMohammad Jashimuddin
President of Bangladesh
Acting
In office
24 July 2026 – 21 August 2026
Prime MinisterTarique Rahman
Preceded byMohammed Shahabuddin
Succeeded byMirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir
President of Bangladesh Football Federation
In office
23 June 1986 – 5 January 1989
Preceded byHarun Ahmed Chowdhury
Succeeded byMahmudul Hasan
Personal details
Born (1944-10-29) 29 October 1944 (age 82)
Bhola, Bengal, British India
Party
Other political
affiliations
SpouseDilara Hafiz (d. 2026)
ParentAzahar Uddin Ahmed
EducationUniversity of Dhaka
Pakistan Military Academy
Awards
Bir Bikrom
FIFA Order of Merit
Military service
Allegiance Pakistan (before 1971)
 Bangladesh
Branch/service
Years of service
1968–1975
RankMajor
Unit1st East Bengal Regiment
Commands
Battles/warsBangladesh Liberation War
Association football career
Position Left winger
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1962–1963 Fire Service
1963–1964 Wari Club
1964–1966 Fire Service
1966–1967 Dhaka Wanderers
1967–1978 Dhaka Mohammedan
International career
1967–1970 Pakistan
* Club domestic league appearances and goals

Hafiz Uddin Ahmad (born 29 October 1944), also known as Major Hafiz, is a Bangladeshi politician, former military officer, and retired footballer serving as the Speaker of Bangladesh Parliament since February 2026. He was the acting president of Bangladesh from 24 July to 21 August 2026.

A decorated veteran of the Bangladesh Liberation War, Ahmad served in the 1st East Bengal Regiment under Z Force and was awarded the Bir Bikrom, Bangladesh's third-highest gallantry award, for his role in the Battle of Kamalpur. Following his military service as a major in the Bangladesh Army, he entered politics and was elected as a member of parliament for the Bhola-3 constituency for six terms. Over his political career, he held several cabinet positions, including minister of commerce in the third Khaleda cabinet and minister of Liberation War affairs in the Tarique cabinet.

Prior to his military and political careers, Ahmad was a prominent national athlete. He played as a forward for Mohammedan SC, winning four Dhaka League titles and the Aga Khan Gold Cup. He represented the Pakistan national football team in international competitions between 1967 and 1970 and served as national sprint champion in the mid-1960s. In 2004, he received the FIFA Order of Merit in recognition of his contributions to football.

Early life and education

Ahmad was born on 29 October 1944 in Lalmohan on Bhola Island, which was then a part of the Backergunge District of Bengal. He belongs to a Bengali family of Muslim Patwaries originally from the village of Char Kakra in North Niamatpur, Daulatkhan, Bhola Island. His father, Azahar Uddin Ahmed, was a member of the National Council of East Pakistan representing Bhola. In 1968, Ahmad received his Master of Arts degree in political science from the University of Dacca.

Athletic career

Club

Ahmad was a football player during his university days. He later played for Fire Service, Wari Club and Dhaka Wanderers.

Hafiz later joined the Mohammedan SC in 1967. He remained with the Black and Whites until his retirement in 1978. He won 4 Dhaka First Division League titles with MSC: 1969, 1975, 1976, and 1978. He also won the Aga Khan Gold Cup title with the Black and Whites. In 1976, he led the Mohammedan SC team successfully. He replaced defender Zakaria Pintoo in the job. Mohammedan SC won the Dacca league title, defeating arch rivals Abahani in the final 2–0. Hafiz scored both the goals. Mohammedan SC reached the finals of the Aga Khan Gold Cup Football later in the year, beating the Sri Lanka national football team 2–1 in the SF. But they lost to the Penang Football Association Team (Malaysia) 3–0 in the final. In 1973, Hafiz became the first after independence to score a double hat-trick in the First Division as Mohammedan defeated Fire Service 6–0.

International

Hafizuddin (right) captaining the Pakistan national team during a match against Bandar-e Pahlavi in 1970

He was selected for the Pakistan national team in 1967 during a test series against Saudi Arabia, and the same year he played in the 1968 AFC Asian Cup qualification in Burma, and the 1967 RCD Cup in Dacca. He also played against the touring American club Dallas Tornado in 1967.

In March 1968, he played in test matches against Soviet club FC Kairat in home venue, and the next year he featured against CSKA Moscow during their tour to Pakistan in February 1969. The same year he participated in the 1969 Friendship Cup in Iran and the 1969 RCD Cup in Turkey.

He last featured at the 1970 RCD Cup as vice-captain behind Qadir Bakhsh, and captained[citation needed] the national team in an exhibition match against Bandar-e Pahlavi after the finalisation of the tournament, which ended in a 4–2 victory.

Sprinting

He was the fastest man in East Pakistan in the three seasons of 1964, 1965 and 1966. He won gold medals in the 100 and 200 meters in record timings.

Military career

Pakistan Army

While playing for the Pakistan and Mohammedan football teams in 1967, Ahmad was inspired to join the Pakistan Army by the general secretary of the Pakistan Football Federation, Major Malik Muhammad Husain. Ahmed applied to join the army's Education Corps but later shifted to infantry and was commissioned in 1968 in the 1st East Bengal Regiment (the Senior Tigers). He was trained at the Pakistan Military Academy in Kakul, Abbottabad. After being commissioned, he continued his career as a football player and participated in many tournaments. After the 1970 Bhola cyclone, he, as a captain with Bravo Company, engaged in relief work at Galachipa, Patuakhali.

Role in Bangladesh War of Independence

Ahmad was at Jagdishpur Village in the border area of Jessore as part of a training exercise. He was barred from all types of communication there and had no idea of Operation Searchlight by the Pakistan Army and the declaration of independence of Bangladesh. He returned to Jessore Cantonment on 29 March. He learned from his batman that there was an order for the Baloch Regiment to disarm the East Bengal Regiment, and that 25 Baloch Regiment and 22 Frontier Force had taken up positions in front of the cantonment. The arsenal had been broken into by East Bengal non-commissioned officers and soldiers. He joined the Bangladesh War of Independence and asked his commanding officer, Colonel Jalil, to join the war. But Jalil, who maintained contact with M. A. G. Osmani of the Bangladesh Awami League, refused to join the war, as Osmani had asked.

During the subsequent battle, Ahmad fought alongside his troops, but realised that the ammunition they had with them would not be enough to last for more than three hours. So, he started thinking about an exit plan. After fighting relentlessly for almost two hours, he finally escaped the cantonment with 200 companions.

In later campaigning, Ahmad, under continuous attack from the Pakistani army, he maintained a free zone at Jessore, including Benapole BOP, from April to mid-May. During the second week of May 1971, Ahmed was ordered to move to Tura, Meghalaya, to join the BDF Sector 11 under Major Ziaur Rahman. He was selected to lead the Bravo formation as company commander of the 1st East Bengal Regiment in Jessore. He was injured during the Battle of Kamalpur, one of the most significant battles fought by Bangladesh forces in 1971.

Political career

Ahmad entered politics as an independent candidate from Bhola. He has been elected as a member of parliament from the Bhola-3 constituency 6 times from 1986 until 2006. He was the president of the Bangladesh Football Federation from 1986 until 1989.[citation needed] He was later elected vice-president of the Asian Football Confederation for the term from 1990 to 1994.[failed verification]

He served as the minister of water resources during the tenure of the second government of Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. Ahmed held several talks with India about the sharing of water. After the reshuffling of the cabinet, he was also appointed as the commerce minister.

A three-member judicial committee investigating the 2001 Bangladesh post-election violence alleged Ahmad had directed attacks against religious minorities along with other Bangladesh Nationalist Party politicians.

Ahmad was detained while protesting the government's decision to repeal the caretaker government system on 11 June 2011. Again on 28 December 2013, Ahmed was arrested on the National Press Club premises when he was leaving there after announcing a new program of demonstrations to be led by his party. On 16 August 2024, he was made a national standing committee member of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). He left the position after being elected as the Speaker of the Jatiya Sangsad.

Acting President of Bangladesh

Acting President Hafiz Uddin Ahmed began his duties at Bangabhaban.

On 24 July 2026, President Mohammed Shahabuddin resigned, citing ill health. As per the constitution of Bangladesh, the speaker of the Jatiya Sangsad will perform the duties of the president until a new one is elected. As a result, Ahmad became acting president. Citing the resignation, Ahmad remarked, "Although he (Shahabuddin) was elected during the tenure of the Hasina government, he has always expressed support and respect for the new government elected by the votes of the people. I wish him well."

Personal life

Hafiz was married to educator Dilara Hafiz. They have two sons, Shahrukh Hafiz and Taharat Hafiz, and a daughter, Shamama Shahreen. Dilara Hafiz died on 28 March 2026.

References

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Kayser Kamal was acting speaker from July 24 2026 to August 21 2026 during Hafiz's acting presidency
  2. ↑ BB FIFA OoM
  1. 1 2 3 তোমাদের এ ঋণ শোধ হবে না [You do not have to pay back the loan]. Prothom Alo (in Bengali). 11 February 2012. Archived from the original on 8 June 2018. Retrieved 30 December 2013.
  2. ↑ "From footballer to freedom fighter, major Hafiz now speaker". Daily Sun. 12 March 2026. Archived from the original on 20 April 2026. Retrieved 13 March 2026.
  3. 1 2 3 4 ভোলার বীর মুক্তিযোদ্ধা এম হাফিজ উদ্দিন [Bhola Freedom fighter M Hafiz Uddin]. The Daily Ittefaq (in Bengali). 22 December 2013. Archived from the original on 30 December 2013. Retrieved 30 December 2013.
  4. ↑ "List of Members of 8th Parliament of Bangladesh Jatiyo Sangsad" (PDF). Bangladesh Parliament. Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 October 2022. Retrieved 13 August 2015.
  5. ↑ "Gazette notification on allocation of portfolios to ministers, state ministers". Prothom Alo. 18 February 2026. Archived from the original on 13 April 2026. Retrieved 19 February 2026.
  6. 1 2 শুধু ফুটবল খেললে আমার ধারেকাছে কেউ থাকত না [If I had only played football, no one would have been near me]. Kaler Kantho (in Bengali). 16 June 2016. Archived from the original on 28 October 2022. Retrieved 28 October 2022.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 রক্তেভেজা একাত্তর-মেজর (অব.) হাফিজ উদ্দিন আহমেদ বীর বিক্রম [Major (retd.) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed Bir Bikram] (in Bengali). Rokomari. 1997. ISBN 9844651247. Archived from the original on 2 November 2013. Retrieved 30 December 2013.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Players' Gallery: Lt. Hafizuddin Ahmed". The Pakistan Observer. 27 June 1970. p. 10. Archived from the original on 20 August 2025. Retrieved 9 June 2025.
  9. ↑ বাংলাদেশের প্রথম ডাবল হ্যাটট্রিকের গল্প. Prothom Alo. 1 May 2020. Archived from the original on 18 December 2022. Retrieved 18 December 2022.
  10. 1 2 Nayir Iqbal; Ayaz Khan (22 September 2024). "Football: Glory Days, Pass Me By". Dawn. Archived from the original on 22 September 2024. Retrieved 22 September 2024.
  11. ↑ "Pakistan bow down to Iran 0-7 & Turkey 1-3". The Pakistan Observer. 17 September 1970. p. 8. Archived from the original on 20 August 2025. Retrieved 11 July 2025.
  12. ↑ স্পিকার হাফিজ উদ্দিন আহমেদের বর্ণাঢ্য জীবন. Daily Amader Barta (in Bengali). 12 March 2026. Retrieved 13 March 2026.
  13. ↑ "BFF info". bangladeshdir.com. Archived from the original on 17 August 2018. Retrieved 1 January 2015.
  14. ↑ "Water minister flies to Delhi today to talk river project". The Daily Star. 28 September 2003. Archived from the original on 2 January 2014. Retrieved 2 January 2014.
  15. ↑ "Cabinet reshuffle: Altaf minister without portfolio, Hafizuddin Commerce Minister". bdnews24.com. 24 April 2006. Archived from the original on 24 July 2024. Retrieved 2 January 2014.
  16. ↑ "Justice eludes victims of 2001 post-poll communal violence". The Business Standard. 20 October 2021. Archived from the original on 27 July 2024. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
  17. ↑ "Hafiz Uddin Ahmed and Altaf Hossain Chowdhury arrested at Mohakhali". Priyo. 12 June 2011. Archived from the original on 2 January 2014. Retrieved 2 January 2014.
  18. ↑ "Hafizuddin Ahmed arrested". bdnews24.com. 29 December 2013. Archived from the original on 31 August 2022. Retrieved 2 January 2014.
  19. ↑ "Hafiz Uddin, Zahid Hossain promoted to BNP standing committee". Daily Sun. August 2024. Archived from the original on 21 August 2024.
  20. ↑ "Hafizuddin, Zahid Hossain made BNP standing committee members". New Age. 16 August 2024. Archived from the original on 2 September 2024. Retrieved 17 December 2025.
  21. ↑ "Hafiz Uddin Ahmad Resigns From BNP Posts | Hafiz Uddin, Kayser Kamal resign from BNP posts". The Daily Star. 12 March 2026. Archived from the original on 24 April 2026. Retrieved 13 March 2026.
  22. ↑ "বিরতির পর আবারও সংসদ অধিবেশন শুরু হয়" (in Bengali). Jamuna Television. 12 March 2026. Archived from the original on 9 April 2026. Retrieved 12 March 2026.
  23. ↑ "Bangladesh President Mohammed Shahabuddin resigns". Al Jazeera. 24 July 2026. Archived from the original on 24 July 2026. Retrieved 24 July 2026.
  24. ↑ "Speaker Hafiz Uddin Becomes Acting President | Though elected under the 'mafia govt', Shahabuddin backed new govt: Hafiz Uddin". The Daily Star. 24 July 2026. Archived from the original on 24 July 2026. Retrieved 24 July 2026.
  25. ↑ "Speaker's wife and veteran educator Dilara Hafiz dies in Singapore". The Daily Star. 28 March 2026. Retrieved 28 March 2026.