The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Former Education Minister and Awami League leader ASHK Sadique expired yesterday. He was 78.

He died of cardiac arrest at his Keshabpur upazila residence in the morning.

Family sources said the veteran politician, who came Keshabpur alone on Friday afternoon from Dhaka to distribute relief materials among flood affected people, felt chest pain at about 7:45 am and died shortly.

He left behind his wife, a son and a daughter and a host of relatives and well-wishers to mourn his death. His son and daughter are setled in America.

His first Namaj-e-Janaza was held at Keshabpur Eidgah at about 11:40 am where several thousand people atended.

Family sources said the body of ASHK Sadique would be kept at a mortuary in Dhaka until the arrival of his son and daughter from USA.

President Professor Dr Iajuddin Ahmed has expressed his deep shock at the death of former Education Minister ASHK Sadeque.

In a condolence message, the President recalled his professional life and said that ASHK Sadeque, as a former CSP officer, had played an important role in public administration.

"Later, he joined politics and as a Member of Parliament and a Cabinet Minister, made his contribution to the welfare of the country and the nation," he said.

Acting President of the Awami League (AL) Zillur Rahman and Acting General Secretary Mukul Bose, in separate statements, last evening condoled the death of party leader and former Education Minister ASHK Sadique.

Zillur Rahman in a statement said, "The nation lost an eminent leader and social worker with the death of ASHK Sadique."

He prayed for the departed soul and conveyed his deep sympathy to the bereaved family.

Mukul Bose said as a leader of the party ASHK Sadeque made valuable contribution for the development of the country and welfare of its people.

BNP Secretary General Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan in a condolence message also paid rich tribute to the memories of ASHK Sadeque.

He prayed for the salvation of the departed soul and consoled the family members of the deceased.