A.M. Zahiruddin Khan was born on 5th July 1936 to the traditional and highly respectable family of A.K. Khan. Mr. Khan is the eldest son of A.K. Khan.
After his schooling at St. Paul’s Darjeeling, he completed his education at Aitcheson College, Lahore. He entered business at an early age of 22 by becoming the Managing Director of A.K. Khan Group of Industries in 1958, and later on went to become the Chairman in 1991. He was also Chairman of TM International (Bangladesh) Ltd. (AKTEL), Bengal Fisheries Ltd., and COATS Bangladesh Ltd.
From a very young age, Mr. Khan displayed a highly innovative and creative spirit. He was a gifted painter, eclectic designer, poet, and an avid patron of the arts. He died of cardiac arrest on the morning of Tuesday, March 29, 2005, at Bumrungrad Hospital in Bangkok. He was 68 years old. He was buried at the family graveyard at Batali Hills, Chittagong with State Honour for his contribution as a Freedom Fighter during the Liberation War of Bangladesh.
During his distinguished career, he played an active role in the development of private sector in the country. He was elected President of Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) for two consecutive terms. He was also elected President of Federation of Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) in 1977.
As President of FBCCI, he recognized the potential of the World’s Islamic market, and brought in the formation of the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry. In recognition, he was unanimously elected as the Chairmen of the Working Group for drafting the Islamic Chamber Constitution in the Istanbul Conference of the Business Leaders of Islamic Countries in 1977. He also participated in the International Labor Organization (ILO) conference in Geneva in 1975 as Representative of Bangladeshi Employers.
Mr. Khan was the Chairman (Eastern Zone) of All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (1969 -1971), Founder Chairman of Bangladesh Textile Mills Associations (BTMA) (1983-1985), Founder Director of Investment Corporation of Bangladesh (ICB), Founder Director of IFIC Bank and Director Shadharan Bima Corporation. He also served as Chairman of Sonali Bank, the largest Government Commercial Bank in the country.
Mr. Khan played an active role in the Liberation War of Bangladesh in 1971. He joined politics in 1978 and was elected Member of Parliament in 1979. He became a member of Begum Khaleda Zia’s Cabinet as Minister of Planning from 1991-1993 and later on as Minister for Industries during 1993-1995.
As Planning Minister, he initiated the “Coastal Belt Forestation Project “– which has been very successful in protecting the coastal areas from the Cyclones. During his tenure as Industries Minister, he spearheaded the jute diversification program, and under his dynamic leadership, pulp making from green jute for production of paper and rayon fiber was discovered.
He passed away on 29th march 2005 and was buried on 1st April 2005 with nation-wide honor at his family graveyard in Batali Hills, Chittagong.