Abul Maal Abdul Muhith, a renowned economist, diplomat, freedom fighter and language veteran, was born in a respected Muslim family of Sylhet in 1934.

Mr. Muhith is the second son of Advocate Abu Ahmad Abdul Hafiz who was a great leader of Pakistan movement and the head of the then Sylhet District Muslim League. His mother Sayed Shahar Banu Chowdhury was also active in politics.

Mr. Muhith was very brilliant throughout his student life. He secured first place in Intermediate examination in 1951 from Sylhet MC College. He stood first class first in B.A (Hons.) in English literature in 1954 from Dhaka University and passed his M.A with credit from the same university in 1955. During his service period, he studied in Oxford University and received MPA Degree from Harvard University.

After joining Pakistan Civil Service (CSP) in 1956, he served in different departments of East Pakistan, Central Pakistan and then Bangladesh.  He was appointed as the Secretary of Planning in 1972 and Secretary of the External Resource Department of Finance and Planning Ministry in 1977.

During his service as the Chief and Deputy Secretary of Pakistan Planning Commission, he made a report on the discrimination between East and West Pakistan and that was the first submitted report on that issue in Pakistan National Congress. He was the first diplomat of Washington Embassy who showed his consent in favour of Bangladesh giving up the side of Pakistan during the Independence War of 1971.

Mr. Muhith has earned outstanding reputation in economic diplomacy. He   has been a recognized figure in World Bank, IMF, IDB and in different organizations of United Nations.

He went for self retirement in 1981from his service and then he started his second innings of glorious career as the specialist of economics and development in Ford Foundation and in IFAD. He became Finance and Planning Minister in 1982-1983. Next he worked as the specialist of different institutions of WB and the UN. He was the Visiting Fellow of Princeton University in 1984 and 1985.

Mr. Muhith is equally skilled as a writer. He published 21 books on different subjects including administrative and liberation war affairs.

He is the pioneer of Bangladesh Environment Movement and was also the founder President of BAPA.

Mr. Muhith is married. His wife Sayed Sabia Muhith is a designer. They are parents of two sons and a daughter. Their daughter Samia Muhith is a Banker and specialist in monetary policy sector. Their elder son Sahed Muhith is an ecologist and younger Son Samir Muhith is a teacher.

Mr. Muhith took oath as the Finance Minister of Bangladesh Government on 6 January 2009.