He joined the Bangladesh Air Force in 1972 as a squadron leader after being released from detention by Pakistan.

[1] He went on to serve as a minister of different ministries and a Jatiya Sangsad member during the BNP administration from 2001 until 2006.

[6] He lost both the 2008 and 2018 general elections to the Awami League candidate Shahjahan Mia.

[13][14] On 26 February 2008, the ACC filed another case accusing Khaleda Zia and 10 of her former cabinet members, including Chowdhury, of taking bribes in the Barapukuria coalmine deal.

[15] On 11 June 2011, Chowdhury and Hafizuddin Ahmed were arrested and sent to jail in connection with an arson case.