(1996-2001)

Shahabuddin Ahmed was born in 1930 in village Pamal of Kendua in the greater Mymensingh district. He obtained B.A. (Hons) in Economics in 1951 and M.A. in International Relations in 1952 from Dhaka University.

He joined in the judicial branch in 1960 and was elevated to the Bench of the High Court on 20 January 1972. Acted on deputation at the Labour Appellate Tribunal from 1973 and 1974. He was appointed a Judge of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh on 7 February 1980 and was confirmed in this office on 15 April 1981. Shahabuddin took charge as Acting President of Bangladesh on 6th December 1990 and resigned on 9 October,'91. He then resumed as Chief Justice on 10 October 1991 and later retired from service on 1 February 1995.

On 23 July 1996 Mr. Justice Shahabuddin Ahmed was elected unopposed as the President of the country. He was sworn-in the office of the President on 9 October 1996.