He participated in the Liberation War of Bangladesh in 1971 on the pro-independence side. He went with Malek Ukil others to Agartala, Tripura, India to organize the Awami League during the War. He went to become the first Minister of Information and Radio in 1972 after the independence of Bangladesh. In 1973 he was elected to the Jatiya Sangsad and was made the minister of Rehabilitation. In 1979 he elected to the Jatiya Sangsad. In 1985 he was made the Minister of Post and Telegraph. In 1986 he was again elected to the Jatiya Sangsad. On 8 July 1986 he was made the Prime Minister in the cabinet of President Ershad. His term as Prime Minister ended on 27 March 1988. In 1988 he was again elected to the Jatiya Sangsad and again 1991. He returned to Awami League in 2001 and retained that position for the rest of his life.