Online Desk: Former lawmaker from Cumilla-5 (Burichang-Brahmanpara) constituency Advocate Abul Hashem Khan passed away early Wednesday. He was 68.

He breathed his last around 5:10 am while undergoing treatment at a hospital in the capital, his daughter Nazia Hashem Tanzi said.

Abdus Salam Beg, Youth and Sports Affairs Secretary of Cumilla South unit Awami League,  said he will be buried at his family graveyard after Asr prayers on Thursday.

Awami League candidate Abul Hashem Khan contested the 12th parliamentary election with ‘boat symbol’ and lost to independent candidate M A Jaher.

However, he was sick and hospitalized before the election and could not get involved in election campaign.

Hashem was picked by the ruling Awami League for the by-election to the constituency following the death of then MP Abdul Matin Khasru on April 14, 2021.

He was elected unopposed in the by-election on 14 July in the same year.

Abul Hashem Khan was born on December 31, 1955 in Burichang.

During his long political career, he held several important posts in Burichang Upazila Awami League.