Kazi Zafar Ahmed. File photo

CUMILLA, Aug 26, 2025 (BSS)– The 10th death anniversary of Kazi Zafar Ahmed, a valiant freedom fighter, former Prime Minister and Chairman of the Jatiya Party, will be observed with due solemnity tomorrow. 

Various programmes were chalked out especially at his ancestral home in Cheora Kazibari, Chauddagram, Cumilla.

To commemorate the anniversary, a day-long program has been organized there including recitation from the Holy Quran, visit to his grave, a prayer mahfil, placing of wreath and a memorial discussion. The program will begin at 10:30 am.

Jatiya Party Presidium Member Kazi Mohammad Nahid has extended a special invitation to the late leader’s political associates, friends, host of relatives, and admirers to attend doa-mahfil and prayers for the salvation of his departed soul. 
National, central and local leaders of the Jatiya Party are expected to participate in the event.
Born on July 1, 1939 in the distinguished Cheora Kazi family of Cumilla, Kazi Zafar Ahmed began his political journey during the Language Movement and formally entered into politics in 1955. 
He was General Secretary of the undivided East Pakistan Students Union (EPSU) in 1962–63 and played a key role in the anti-military rule movement and opposition to the Sharif Education Commission.

Following his student activism, Kazi Zafar became involved in labour politics, leading the Bengali Sramik Federation from 1967 to 1985. 
He played a crucial role in the historic Sramik Karmachari Oikya Parishad (SKOP) movement.

As one of the organizers of the Liberation War, Kazi Zafar contributed significantly to the armed resistance against the Pakistani occupation forces. 
He later served as General Secretary of the National Awami Party (NAP) from 1972 to 1974 under the leadership of "Majloom Jononeta or leader of the oppressed' Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani.

 
In 1978, he was appointed Education Minister during President Ziaur Rahman regime. 
From 1986 to 1990, under the Jatiya Party government, he held various ministerial portfolios including Commerce, Ports and Shipping, Information and Education. 
He later served as Deputy Prime Minister, Political Adviser to the President and eventually as the 8th Prime Minister of Bangladesh from 1989 to 1990.

Kazi Zafar was an prominent parliamentarian, serving as the Deputy Leader and later Leader of the Jatiya Party Parliamentary Party between 1986 and 1990. 
He was elected Member of Parliament three consecutive times from 1986 to 1996.

Kazi Zafar Ahmed passed away on August 27, 2015.