Eminent local government expert and distinguished academic Professor Tofail Ahmed passed away at a hospital in Dhaka on Wednesday night. He was 71.

Tofail breathed his last at United Hospital around 9:30pm, confirmed his son-in-law, Lieutenant Colonel Sarwar Jahan.

He is survived by his wife, a daughter, son-in-law, and numerous relatives, colleagues, and well-wishers.

According to family sources, he will be laid to rest at the family grave in Fatehpur village under Hathazari upazila in Chattogram district tomorrow.

A former professor of Public Administration at Chittagong University, Professor Ahmed had been receiving treatment at United Hospital following a heart attack on Tuesday. He was diagnosed with three cardiac blockages and also suffered from a lung infection.

He was taken to the operation theatre on Wednesday afternoon for a cardiac procedure to insert a ring. However, his condition deteriorated during surgery, and he was placed on life support. Doctors declared him dead around 9:30pm.

Tofail also served as the Chief of the Local Government Reform Commission during the interim government, playing a key role in policy formulation and decentralization efforts in Bangladesh.

MN/