Sunday, 21st June 2026
Khabor Wala Desk
Published: 21st June 2026, 5:50 PM
Former Member of Parliament Selima Ahmad Meri, who represented the Cumilla-2 (Homna-Titas) constituency, has passed away while undergoing medical treatment. She drew her last breath at approximately 19:30 BST on Sunday, 21 June 2026, at a hospital facility in Bangkok, Thailand. The news of her demise was formally confirmed to the national media by her cousin, Minhaj Al-Islam, as well as senior regional political leaders.
Minhaj Al-Islam stated that Selima Ahmad Meri had been suffering from cancer for a prolonged duration. Following a severe deterioration in her physical health and clinical parameters, she was transported to Thailand and admitted to a specialised hospital in Bangkok. Medical professionals eventually placed her on life support systems; however, she succumbed to her illness during treatment on Sunday evening.
Nazrul Islam, the former Mayor of Homna Municipality and the current Vice-President of the Homna Upazila unit of the Bangladesh Awami League, also officially verified the news of the former lawmaker’s death. He noted that her passing has cast a deep shadow of grief across political, business, and social sectors throughout the country, particularly within her home district.
During her political career, Selima Ahmad Meri served actively as a Member of Parliament for the Cumilla-2 electoral district, which encompasses the Homna and Titas sub-districts. In addition to her parliamentary duties, she held the leadership position of Vice-President within the Cumilla North District unit of the Bangladesh Awami League, participating directly in regional organizational and political activities.
Beyond her involvement in national politics, Selima Ahmad Meri was a prominent figure in the macroeconomic and commercial landscapes of Bangladesh. She was the wife of Abdul Matlub Ahmad, a leading industrialist, the former President of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), and the head of the Nitol-Niloy Group. Selima Ahmad Meri herself served as the Chairperson of the Nitol-Niloy Group, which stands as one of the largest industrial conglomerates in the country.
She is widely recognized for her pioneering contributions to women’s economic empowerment in South Asia. She was the founding President of the Bangladesh Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BWCCI). Through this institutional platform, she formulated numerous initiatives aimed at developing female entrepreneurship, upgrading business skills for women, and securing financial credit for small and medium enterprises owned by women across urban and rural sectors.
To offer relevant, objective, and fully verified contextual data regarding the administrative and political entities associated with the late lawmaker:
The Cumilla-2 Constituency: This is a distinct parliamentary seat officially designated as Constituency 250 of the National Parliament (Jatiya Sangsad). Geographically situated within the Cumilla District under the Chattogram Division, it structurally comprises the Homna Upazila and the Titas Upazila.
The Nitol-Niloy Group: Established as a major multi-sector conglomerate in Bangladesh, this commercial entity operates extensive business portfolios spanning automotive distribution, manufacturing, financial insurance, real estate development, and internal logistics across the country.
The Bangladesh Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry: Founded as a premier trade organization specifically representing female entrepreneurs, the BWCCI acts as a policy advocacy group that collaborates with ministries and financial institutions to remove systemic barriers to women’s trade participation.
Preparations and formal administrative arrangements are currently underway by the family and corporate representatives to transport the mortal remains of the former Member of Parliament from Bangkok back to Dhaka for her funeral services and final burial rites.
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