[2][3][4] Sattar was born on 1 March 1925, to Tofazzal Hossain and Hasna, a Bengali Muslim family in Durgapur, Rangpur, Bengal Presidency, British India (now Bangladesh).
[5] During his tenure as chairman of the PJA, the jute industry faced several challenges, including the loss of market monopoly, declining production, export limitations, smuggling, policy reforms, and the devaluation of sterling.
Revisions of short-term policies weakened Pakistan's position, allowing rival countries like India, Thailand, and Burma to increase their jute production.
The devaluation of sterling introduced additional obstacles due to fluctuating exchange rates, impacting jute exports and industry stability.
[7] To address these challenges, Sattar proposed streamlining the jute licensing procedure by eliminating hindrances like police verification.
[7] At the conclusion of his tenure, the PJA acknowledged Sattar for his leadership in negotiating new gradations with Overseas delegates, as well as for his efforts in addressing challenges arising from the devaluation of sterling.
[11] Sattar, as one of the few Bengali industrialists and due to his close association with Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, was targeted for elimination during Operation Searchlight.
On 27 March 1971, Pakistani soldiers entered his home "Rangpur House Massdair" in Narayanganj and immediately shot and killed his eldest son, Taufique Sattar (তৌফিক সাত্তার), and his friend Jalal Ahmed (জালাল আহমেদ).
BJMES demanded compensation of around Tk 90 million for the 34 jute mills that were previously owned by Bengali entrepreneurs and were nationalized by the Bangladesh government.
[16] As chairman, Sattar presented arguments highlighting the significant losses and damage caused by nationalization in various sectors of the economy, including jute mills and the cotton textile industry.
[18] During this nationalization period, most industries suffered devastating losses due to rising costs, the devaluation of the taka, and internal corruption.
After prolonged and frequently bitter debate, they were ultimately forced to accept responsibility for all accumulated liabilities and to absorb the existing workforce under terms that prohibited termination, regardless of prevailing economic and market conditions after President Ershad presented the buyers with a "take it or leave it" ultimatum.
Faced with this ultimatum, Sattar and the mill owners felt they had no realistic choice but to accept the terms, even though they believed the price demanded was unreasonably high.
As chief whip, Sattar was responsible for ensuring discipline among members of the ruling party and their attendance in parliamentary sessions.