Mr. A.K. Khan is an unforgettable name and a unique personality in the arena of the industry, commerce and politics of Bangladesh. Deep religious sense of taste, unstinted patriotism and sincere feeling for people made him a man of great honor and personality. He has gained the respect of all for his generous personality. He was the able descendant of Sherbaz Khan, son of Shamsher Khan, Minister of Gaor in the 16th century. A.K. Khan was the pioneering and leading industrialist of the country. Later on in his life he was appointed as Cabinet Minister during 1958-1962. He had also drafted the declaration of independence of Bangladesh, which was read on 27th March 1971 by Major Zia-Ur Rahman on behalf of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
A.K. Khan was a successful man of glorious achievements. During his student life he had taken brilliance to a completely new level and established an example of exceptional deeds and achievements in his practical life as well. After the completion of educational life he was engaged in judicial service and legal profession for several years. Then a call of greater field of works reached him. He began to traverse the field of politics in 1945 and became the President of Chittagong Muslim League and a member of the Provincial Muslim League Council. He took part in the struggle for independence against the British regime. A.K. Khan was elected as member of the Pakistan Constituent Assembly and in 1958 he joined President Ayub Khan’s Cabinet as a Central Minister for Industries, Works, Power and Mineral Resources. He also had a significant contribution in the liberation war of Bangladesh in 1971.
But above all, rendering a unique contribution in the field of industry and business of this country was his greatest achievement. During the British rule East Bengal was fully deprived of any development in commerce and industries. All the industries were then established around Calcutta. After the creation of Pakistan the industrial sector was occupied by the non-Bengali entrepreneurs. Under this circumstance, A.K. Khan was the first Bangladeshi Muslim to emerge as an ardent industrialist and trotted to establish and expand industries and commercial enterprises in this country. He contributed greatly to the economic development of this nation by establishing numerous industries. He emphasized on small and medium size industries and in this respect his aim was to pace up industrial development by setting up industrial estates in different areas of the country with the help of local capital and labour. He played a pioneering role in the industrialization of this country. He paved the way for the creation of employment for countless people in industries and helped to solve the poverty problem to a great extent. By creating good relations in the field of industries it has set an example for other industrialists in the country.
Mr. Khan was associated with various social organizations. He bequeathed 30 percent of profits of his industries for the service of religion, health and education.