This Jatiya Sangsad yester day unanimously adopted an obituary reference expressing its deep grief and shock at the death of Sharifuddin Ahmed, an Awami League lawmaker, and prayed for the salvation of the departed soul.

This Sangsad Is expressing deep shock and sorrow, praying for the departed soul and expressing sincere sympathy for the members of the bereaved family." said a resolution adopted by the House.

The House observed one-minute's silence to pay tributes to late legislator, who died on Tuesday nighCjn the city.

Speaker ijimayun Rashid Chowdhury proposed the obituary reference and opened the* floor to the legislators immediately after the House went into session at 4 pin.

• •w'a.ty-five rnenibers in eluding Leader of the House and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Deputy Leader of the House Zillur Rahman. Deputy Leader of the Opposition Badruddoza Chowdhury and Foreign Minister Abdus Samad Azad made brief speeches paving tributes to their late colleague. Besides, the Speaker. also announced names of 18 more legislators, whom he could not give time to speak about Shartfuddin.

Leader of the Opposition Begum Khaleda Zia aid not attend the sitting yesterday.

After a two-hour discussion. the House adopted the obituary reference.

Foreign Minister Abdus Samad Azad also conducted a munajat for the salvation of the departed soul, before the Speaker adjourned the sitting at 7:40 pm to meet again at 4 pm today.

There was no other busi ness in the House yesterday, according to precedence of the House.

Shartfuddin Ahmed, elected MP from Habiganj-2 constituency twice (1991 and 1996). died at the PG Hospital in the city at 10:42 pm Tuesday after a prolonged illness. He hailed from village Jatra-pasha under Baniachong thana in Habiganj district.

As an expression of respect to the late deputy, a number of MPs irrespective of their party affiliations, unanimously endorsed a proposal of JP MP Hussain Mohammad Ershad to construct a road connecting Baniachong with Ajmiriganj and name it after Shartfuddin.

Shartfuddin Ahmed in a call attention notice on July 24 had drawn the attention of the Communications Minister for constructing the road. Prime Minister arid Leader of the House Sheikh Hasina also asked the Communications Minister, who was not present in the House yesterday. to construct the road immediately to honour the last desire of the late MP and name it after him.

In her five-minute speech. Hasina paid glowing tributes to the late MP and said his death caused an irreparable loss for the nation.

"He was a freedom fighter, a good teacher, a lawyer and also a sports organizer.' He was an honest and sincere man and left his mark in crucial periods of history: during the six-point movement. '69 uprising and even in the last democratic movement for establishing peoples' franchise.' Hasina said. "He died penniless although he was MP twice. This is rare".

She also prayed for the salvation of the departed soul and expressed her heart-felt sympathy with the members of the bereaved fami(y.

Deputy Leader of the Oppo sition Badruddoza Chowdhury said "Sharifuddin left no trea sure but only peoples affection that he earned by his honesty and sincerity." "Sharifuddln never compromise with ideals. I salute him." said Chowdhury.

Foreign Minister Abdus Samad Azad told the House that the Prime Minister gave Tk 10.000 to the wife of Shaii-fuddin and assured that she would bear the education expenses of his children.

JP Chairman H M Ershad. who took the floor yesterday for the first time proposed construction of the Bania chong-Aimiriganj road naming it after Sharifuddln.

Finance Minister Shah A M S Klbira. Abdul Mannan, Dewan Farid Gazi. Enamul Haq Mostafa Shahid. Abdul Momen. Sultan Mohammad Mansur Ahmed and Abdus Shahid of Awami League. Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan. Khandaker Deiwar Hussain. Hafizuddin Ahmed BB, Jalnal Abedin Faruq. Alhaj Dr Md All. A K M Hafizur Rah man, Abul Kalam Azad and Goutaam Chokravarthi of BNP and Begum Rawshan Ershad. Abu Lais Md Mobin Chowd hury. Naslruddin Chowdhury of JP and A S M Rab of JSD (Rob) and Deiwar Hussain Saldee of Jamaat-e-Islami also npoke to show respect to their fate col league