Civil Aviation and Tourism Adviser AF Hassan Ariff passed away while undergoing treatment at a Dhaka hospital on Friday (Dec 20). He breathed his last around 3:30 p.m. at a city Hospital in Dhanmondi. He was 83. Mohammad Nasir Uddin, his personal secretary, told media that Ariff collapsed while having lunch at home earlier on Friday. He was rushed to the hospital where doctors confirmed he had suffered a cardiac arrest, and was subsequently pronounced dead.
Ariff’s first Namaz-e-Janaza will be held at Baitul Aman Mosque on Dhanmondi Road 7 after the Isha prayers on Friday evening. Another Janaza will be held at the High Court premises at 11 a.m. on Saturday, according to a Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministry’s notification.
On Aug 8, AF Hassan Ariff was appointed as an adviser to the interim government, overseeing the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives, and the Ministry of Land. He was later assigned responsibilities for the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism.
Hassan Ariff had a distinguished legal career spanning over five decades.
Chief Adviser mourns death of adviser Hassan Ariff
Chief Adviser of the interim government Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus expressed deep shock at the death of Adviser Hassan Ariff, who died of suspected heart attack. The Chief Adviser learnt the news of adviser Hassan Ariff's death as soon as a plane carrying him from Dubai landed in Dhaka late this afternoon. He rushed to Labaid Hospital in Dhanmondi from the airport to pay last respects to the late adviser of the interim government.
"I am deeply shocked at his sudden demise. Adviser Hassan Ariff was a top lawyer who played a very significant role in the Interim Government," Muhammad Yunus said in a condolence message.
He paid rich tribute to Hassan Ariff's decades-long public service, including his time as a former adviser of a caretaker government and an attorney general of the country. "He will be remembered as a brilliant lawyer and for his legal activism and defending human rights of dissidents, dissenting voices, and the marginalised people of our society," the Chief Adviser said.
He sent his condolences to the members of the bereaved family and prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul.
