Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN) - Veteran politician and organizer of 1971 Liberation War Abdur Razzaq MP breathed his last on Friday at a hospital in London at 9.50 PM (BST). He was 70.
"He breathed his last as his artificial life support system was withdrawn after doctors at the London's King's College Hospital lost hope about his condition,” Press Minister of Bangladesh High Commission Rashed Chowdhury was quoted by the state-run Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) as saying over telephone.
Born on August 1, 1942, Razzaq was member of the Awami League's Advisory Council and chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee for the Water Resources Ministry, which he headed as the minister during the previous 1996-2001 tenure of the ruling Awami League
He was undergoing treatment with kidney, liver and heart ailments at the London facility since September this year while his condition deteriorated twice in the past several days and the doctors asked relatives to be prepared for the worst as his condition deteriorated for the third time on the day.
Mr. Chowdhury also said the elderly leader was earlier set to undergo a kidney transplant surgery on December 11, doctors at the King's Hospital refused to accept the kidney, which was to be donated by a person calling the donor "unfit" because of his own medical history.
Married to Farida Razzaq, Razzaq is survived by his two children as he left behind a host of relatives, friends and numerous admirers across the political lines to mourn his death.
President Zillur Rahman, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Leader of the Opposition Khaleda Zia expressed their profound grief at his demise.
Cabinet ministers, leaders of different political parties and student organizations expressed their deep condolence at the veteran politician’s death.
Mortal remains of Razzak will be brought to Dhaka at 11 am (local time) on Sunday by Bangladesh Biman.
BBN/SSR/AD-23Dec11-10:41 pm (BST)