In Bangladesh’s political landscape, leaders come and go, but Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has carved out a place as a singular figure. Known for his intellect, integrity, patriotism, and unwavering commitment to democracy, he has emerged as a voice of resilience in the opposition.Born on January 26, 1948, in Thakurgaon district, Fakhrul grew up in a politically conscious family. His father, Mirza Ruhul Amin, was a lawyer and a multiple-term lawmaker, while his uncle, Mirza Golam Hafiz, served as Speaker of Parliament and later as a cabinet minister. Another uncle, Wing Commander S.R. Mirza, held a senior post under the Mujibnagar Government during the Liberation War. Fakhrul’s mother was Mirza Fatema Amin.
He pursued higher studies at the University of Dhaka, earning both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in economics.
Early Career
In 1972, Fakhrul joined the civil service after passing the BCS examination and began his career as a lecturer in economics at Dhaka College. He went on to teach in several government colleges, later serving as an inspector at the Directorate of Inspection and Audit. In 1979, under President Ziaur Rahman’s administration, he became the personal secretary to then Deputy Prime Minister S.A. Bari, serving until Bari’s resignation in 1982. Fakhrul then returned to academia, teaching economics at Thakurgaon Government College until 1986.
Entry into Politics
Fakhrul’s involvement in politics began during his student days at Dhaka University, where he was an active member of the East Pakistan Students’ Union. He later became general secretary of the S.M. Hall unit and in 1969 rose to president of the university chapter during the mass uprising.
In 1986, he left teaching to join active politics and was elected chairman of Thakurgaon Municipality in 1988. Amid the mass movement against General Ershad’s military regime, he formally joined the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). By 1992, he was elected president of the BNP’s Thakurgaon district unit and also served as vice-president of the BNP’s farmers’ wing.
Parliamentary Politics and Ministerial Role
Fakhrul contested the 1991 and 1996 parliamentary elections from Thakurgaon-1 but was narrowly defeated by Awami League candidates. His breakthrough came in the 2001 general election, when he won the seat with over 134,000 votes. After the BNP formed government under Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, Fakhrul was appointed State Minister for Agriculture and later State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism, positions he held until 2006.
Although he lost in the 2008 election, he contested again in 2018, winning from Bogra-6 while simultaneously contesting Thakurgaon-1. However, he declined to take oath, leading the Election Commission to declare the seat vacant.
BNP Leadership
In December 2009, Fakhrul was elected Senior Joint Secretary General of the BNP during the party’s fifth national council. After the death of Secretary General Khandaker Delwar Hossain in March 2011, Khaleda Zia appointed Fakhrul as the acting secretary general. Some party veterans questioned the constitutional validity of the “acting” designation, but Khaleda’s firm decision ended the debate.
In 2016, Fakhrul was formally elected Secretary General at the BNP’s sixth national council, a position he continues to hold. Over the years, he has become the party’s chief spokesperson, frequently challenging government policies, leading protests, and calling for the restoration of the caretaker government system.
Political Struggles and Legal Battles
Since the BNP’s departure from power in 2006, Fakhrul has faced relentless political and legal challenges. Over the past 17 years, he has been charged in more than a hundred cases and has endured multiple imprisonments. Despite the personal toll, he has remained at the forefront of his party’s movements, often braving police crackdowns, arrests, and health setbacks.
Personal Life
Fakhrul is married to Rahat Ara Begum, who studied at the University of Calcutta and now works in a Dhaka-based insurance company. They have two daughters: Mirza Shamaruh, a Dhaka University faculty member currently pursuing postdoctoral research in Australia, and Mirza Safaruh, a teacher at a school in Dhaka.
Health and Resilience
Now in his late seventies, Fakhrul suffers from age-related ailments and the consequences of repeated imprisonment. Nevertheless, under medical supervision, he continues to endure the physical and emotional strain of politics. His commitment remains unshaken: to restore democracy, safeguard people’s voting rights, and steer the BNP through one of the most challenging periods in its history.
Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir is more than just another politician. He is a survivor, an opposition leader, and, for many, a symbol of perseverance in Bangladesh’s long struggle for democratic governance.
He pursued higher studies at the University of Dhaka, earning both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in economics.
Early Career
In 1972, Fakhrul joined the civil service after passing the BCS examination and began his career as a lecturer in economics at Dhaka College. He went on to teach in several government colleges, later serving as an inspector at the Directorate of Inspection and Audit. In 1979, under President Ziaur Rahman’s administration, he became the personal secretary to then Deputy Prime Minister S.A. Bari, serving until Bari’s resignation in 1982. Fakhrul then returned to academia, teaching economics at Thakurgaon Government College until 1986.
Entry into Politics
Fakhrul’s involvement in politics began during his student days at Dhaka University, where he was an active member of the East Pakistan Students’ Union. He later became general secretary of the S.M. Hall unit and in 1969 rose to president of the university chapter during the mass uprising.
In 1986, he left teaching to join active politics and was elected chairman of Thakurgaon Municipality in 1988. Amid the mass movement against General Ershad’s military regime, he formally joined the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). By 1992, he was elected president of the BNP’s Thakurgaon district unit and also served as vice-president of the BNP’s farmers’ wing.
Parliamentary Politics and Ministerial Role
Fakhrul contested the 1991 and 1996 parliamentary elections from Thakurgaon-1 but was narrowly defeated by Awami League candidates. His breakthrough came in the 2001 general election, when he won the seat with over 134,000 votes. After the BNP formed government under Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, Fakhrul was appointed State Minister for Agriculture and later State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism, positions he held until 2006.
Although he lost in the 2008 election, he contested again in 2018, winning from Bogra-6 while simultaneously contesting Thakurgaon-1. However, he declined to take oath, leading the Election Commission to declare the seat vacant.
BNP Leadership
In December 2009, Fakhrul was elected Senior Joint Secretary General of the BNP during the party’s fifth national council. After the death of Secretary General Khandaker Delwar Hossain in March 2011, Khaleda Zia appointed Fakhrul as the acting secretary general. Some party veterans questioned the constitutional validity of the “acting” designation, but Khaleda’s firm decision ended the debate.
In 2016, Fakhrul was formally elected Secretary General at the BNP’s sixth national council, a position he continues to hold. Over the years, he has become the party’s chief spokesperson, frequently challenging government policies, leading protests, and calling for the restoration of the caretaker government system.
Political Struggles and Legal Battles
Since the BNP’s departure from power in 2006, Fakhrul has faced relentless political and legal challenges. Over the past 17 years, he has been charged in more than a hundred cases and has endured multiple imprisonments. Despite the personal toll, he has remained at the forefront of his party’s movements, often braving police crackdowns, arrests, and health setbacks.
Personal Life
Fakhrul is married to Rahat Ara Begum, who studied at the University of Calcutta and now works in a Dhaka-based insurance company. They have two daughters: Mirza Shamaruh, a Dhaka University faculty member currently pursuing postdoctoral research in Australia, and Mirza Safaruh, a teacher at a school in Dhaka.
Health and Resilience
Now in his late seventies, Fakhrul suffers from age-related ailments and the consequences of repeated imprisonment. Nevertheless, under medical supervision, he continues to endure the physical and emotional strain of politics. His commitment remains unshaken: to restore democracy, safeguard people’s voting rights, and steer the BNP through one of the most challenging periods in its history.
Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir is more than just another politician. He is a survivor, an opposition leader, and, for many, a symbol of perseverance in Bangladesh’s long struggle for democratic governance.