Dhaka, Mar 10 (UNB):  Ihasanul Karim, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's press secretary, passed away on Sunday, breathing his last at the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) Hospital around 8pm.

PM's Deputy Press Secretary MM Emrul Kayes confirmed the death.

The prime minister expressed profound shock and sorrow at the demise of her press secretary.

In a message of condolence, she prayed for peace for the departed soul and conveyed deep sympathy to the bereaved family.

In the message, Sheikh Hasina said that as the Prime Minister's press secretary, the valiant freedom fighter performed his duties with utmost honesty, efficiency and devotion.

In his long journalistic career, Sheikh Hasina said Ihsanul Karim held many important responsibilities including Press Secretary to the President and Managing Director of the BSS.

“At his death, country's media lost a dear colleague and I lost a trusted official,” she said.

Ihsanul Karim left behind his wife, a daughter, a son, a host of relatives,  colleagues and admirers to mourn his death.

According to the initial plan, his namaj-e-janaza will be held at the National Press Club at 11am where he will be given guard of honour. Later, he will be buried at Banani graveyard after Zohr prayers.

Born in 1951 to a respectable Muslim family in Kushtia district, Ihsanul Karim obtained his master's degree in economics from Dhaka University and Post Graduate Diploma in Journalism from the same university.

Karim joined the Liberation War in 1971 and fought in the western frontier as a member of the Bangladesh Liberation Force (BLF).

On June 15, 2015, he was appointed as Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s press secretary.

Prior to his appointment in the Prime Minister's Office, Karim served as the press secretary to the President.

He also served as the chief editor and managing director of national news agency Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS), where he made his debut in the career as a staff reporter in 1972.

During his long career in journalism, Karim also served several foreign media like Bangla service of British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), and Press Trust of India (PTI) as Bangladesh correspondent.