The condition of Shahadat Chowdhury, editor of the Saptahik 2000, who was admitted to the Cardiac Centre of Birdem Hospital with respiratory problems on Wednesday, has improved.

His life-support system was withdrawn yesterday noon and he can now breathe normally, said a family source.

His condition is improving gradually and he will soon be released from the hospital, said his brother Morshed Chowdhury quoting the doctors.

"Nothing wrong was found during a CT scan," he added.

When he was having a meal on Tuesday night, food grains might have entered his respiratory system, causing the respiratory problems, Morshed said quoting the doctors.