Eminent journalist Hasan Shahriar, former president of Jatiya Press Club, breathed his last at the ICU of Impulse Hospital in the capital around 11:45am yesterday.

Hasan, a confirmed bachelor, was admitted to the hospital on Thursday with 80 percent damaged lungs and severe breathing complications, said Mainul Alam, joint secretary of Jatiya Press Club.

Mainul also said that Hasan had Covid-19 symptoms and was tested for the deadly virus around a week ago, but his test report came out to be negative, reported UNB.

Hasan retired from the editor post of Bangla daily the Ittefaq in 2008. He was the first editor of English daily the Daily Sun and chief editor of Chattogram-based daily People's View.

He also worked as Bangladesh correspondent for international magazine Newsweek, Khaleej Times; India's Daily Deccan Herald, The Indian Express, and The Asian Age; and Pakistan's Morning News, Dawn, and Evening Star.

Hasan was the first journalist from Asia-Pacific to be elected as president of the Toronto-based Commonwealth Journalists Association in 2003. He was also the president of CJA for two terms and the international president emeritus of the CJA in 2012.

He was awarded the prestigious Harry Brittan Fellowship by the Commonwealth Press Union in 1978.

He was elected president of the National Press Club management committee for 1993-94 tenure. He was also the existing president of Media Club Limited.

CONDOLENCES POUR IN

President Abdul Hamid, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, ministers, and distinguished personalities have expressed profound shock and sorrow at the demise of Hasan.

In a condolence message, the president recalled the contributions of Hasan in the field of journalism with due respect.

"The role of Hasan Shahriar in the country's journalism will be remembered for long," Hamid said.

He also prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul and conveyed deep sympathy to the bereaved family.

In a separate message, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed deep shock and sorrow at the death of the veteran journalist.

In her condolence message, Hasina said the role of Hassan Shahriar in Bangladesh's journalism will ever be remembered.

She prayed for the eternal salvation of the departed soul and expressed sympathy to the bereaved family.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Hasan Mahmud, now in Europe, expressed deep shock and sorrow at the death.

In the condolence message, the minister said Hasan Shahriar's dedicated contribution to journalism for a long time will be remembered.

Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen said people will remember him for his contribution to the country's journalism.

Chairman of the Board of Directors of Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) Prof AAMS Arefin Siddique, and BSS Managing Director and Chief Editor Abul Kalam Azad also expressed profound shock and sorrow at the death of the veteran journalist.

In a condolence message, Prof Arefin, also former vice-chancellor of Dhaka University, recalled the contribution of Hasan in the field of journalism.

BSS Managing Director and Chief Editor Abul Kalam Azad, in a separate message, expressed deep shock and sorrow at the death.

Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh (DCAB) also expressed shock and sorrow at the death of Hassan Shahriar.