Shawkat Ali (politician)

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Shawkat Ali (27 January 1937 – 16 November 2020) was a Bangladeshi politician and former army officer who served as the Deputy Speaker of the Jatiya Sangsad (National Parliament) and acted as Speaker on occasions. A member of the Awami League, he was elected Member of Parliament for Shariatpur-2 in 1979, 1991, 1996, 2001, and 2008. He also chaired parliamentary committees and practiced law.

Early life
Ali was born in Naria, Bengal Presidency, British India (now in Bangladesh), the eldest of nine children. He completed matriculation, studied commerce, and earned a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Dhaka in 1958. He also earned an LL.B. from Comilla Law College. He started his career in government service, then joined the Pakistan Army in 1959 after his education.

Military career
He was commissioned into the Ordnance Corps in 1959 and served in various depots and as an instructor. In 1968, Ali was accused as No. 26 in the Agartala Conspiracy Case, charged with plotting to secede East Pakistan. The case was later dropped, and he retired from the Pakistan Army in 1969. After Bangladesh’s independence, he rejoined the army and fought in the Bangladesh Liberation War. He rose to the rank of colonel and served as Director of Ordnance Services until his retirement in 1975, following the assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Political career
Ali was elected to parliament in 1979, 1991, 1996, 2001, and 2008. He served on several committees, including the Standing Committee on Shipping and the Committee on Private Members Bills and Resolutions, which he chaired from 1996 to 2001. He was also a lawyer registered with the Supreme Court.

Personal life
Ali wrote two books about the Agartala Conspiracy Case, one in English and one in Bangla. He was married with two sons, Firoze Shawkat Ali and Khaled Shawkat Ali, and a daughter, Marina Shawkat Ali.

Death
Shawkat Ali died on 16 November 2020 in Dhaka at the age of 83.