Adviser Hassan Arif was needed at this time: Fakhrul

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has expressed deep shock at the death of AF Hassan Ariff, adviser to the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism and Land Ministry.

In a condolence message, the BNP secretary general said, “I believe he was very much needed during this period of democratic transition. Personally, I have lost a good soul, and the country has lost a patriotic person”.

Fakhrul prayed for the salvation of his departed soul and conveyed his heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved family.

Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir also visited Labaid Specialised Hospital to pay his respects to the interim government adviser on Friday afternoon.

Later, speaking to reporters, Fakhrul described Hassan Ariff as not only a renowned lawyer but also a man who deeply believed in democracy.

Fakhrul prayed for the salvation of Ariff’s departed soul and conveyed his heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved family.

The adviser died of a massive heart attack in the capital at on Friday afternoon (December 20). 

“My father was feeling sick and suddenly collapsed on the floor. We took him immediately to LabAid Hospital where doctors declared him dead,” his son Moaz Arif said.

Following an unceremonious step-down of the Awami League government on 5 August, Ariff took oath as an adviser of the interim government led by Prof Muhammad Yunus on 8 August.     

Hassan Arif was initially given the responsibility of adviser to the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives and the Ministry of Land. He was later given the responsibility of the Ministry of Land and Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism.