DHAKA, Nov 3, 2025 (BSS) - Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus today expressed deep shock and sorrow at the death of former Principal Secretary, eminent administrator, economist and social scientist Dr Kamal Uddin Siddiqui. 

"Dr Kamal Siddiqui was a shining star in administration, development thinking and academic research. He was an honest, visionary and dedicated public servant who worked to modernize the administrative structure of the country," the Chief Adviser said in a condolence message. 

The nation will remember his contributions as a valiant freedom fighter, researcher and policymaker with profound respect, he said. 

"I had a long-standing friendship with Dr Kamal Siddiqui. We often discussed the country's future, administrative reforms and international experiences. He was a man of integrity, humility and patriotism. Personally, I have lost a dear friend and a wise companion," Professor Yunus added. 

Expressing his grief, the Chief Adviser said, "Due to the country's hostile and vindictive politics, he was forced to leave the country several times. He had to endure harassment through multiple unjust cases- which was deeply unfortunate. Yet he never deviated from his values or patriotism."

Terming Dr Siddiqui a legendary officer of the Bangladesh Civil Service, he said, the dedication, honesty and competence with which he served throughout his life should be a model for all government officials in Bangladesh.

"It is astonishing to think that he completed his BSc and MSc in Chemistry from the University of Dhaka but earned a PhD in Economics from the University of London. His thirst for knowledge was indomitable," said the Chief Adviser.

Professor Yunus said Dr Siddiqui demonstrated his scholarly brilliance through numerous research-based books.
 
His three-volume autobiography stands as a sincere and candid chronicle of Bangladesh's society, people, state and government, the Chief Adviser said, adding, his various research works bear testimony to the active inquisitiveness of his mind.

Former Cabinet Secretary Dr Kamal Uddin Siddiqui served as Principal Secretary to Prime Minister Khaleda Zia until 2006. 

He was a member of the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child from 2005 to 2009. Dr Siddiqui actively participated in Bangladesh's Liberation War in 1971.

Siddiqui completed his Master's in Development Studies from University of London and PhD from the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) of the same university.
 
In recent years, he had been serving as a faculty member at Monash University in Australia.

The Chief Adviser prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul and conveyed his deepest sympathy to the bereaved family members.