Diplomat Ashfaqur Rahman passes away

Ashfaqur Rahman, a diplomat and columnist, died of a heart attack at Apollo Hospitals Dhaka yesterday, aged 70.

Ashfaq, whose body was kept at a mortuary, will be buried after his two daughters reach Dhaka from the USA.

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He contributed to different newspapers on a regular basis.

A career diplomat, Ashfaq had been with the government for long 36 years.

His last assignment before retiring was as Bangladesh ambassador to China where he served from November 23, 2003 to May 4, 2007.

Till 1978, he had been posted in various important ministries and the Prime Minister's Office. He worked as a senior diplomat at various Bangladesh missions including in London, Tehran, Stockholm and Moscow.

From 1996 till 2001, he had been the high commissioner of Bangladesh mission in Singapore. Then he worked as Bangladesh ambassador to Germany till 2003.

Born in Dhaka, he completed his honours and master's degrees in economics from Dhaka University. He was a “Chancellor Gold Medallist” in 1967.

He began his career as a journalist, then a teacher and later a civil servant.

Ashfaq competed in the Civil Service Examination of Pakistan and entered the erstwhile service in 1970.

Diplomatic Correspondents Association Bangladesh President Rezaul Karim Lotus and General Secretary Mahfuz Mishu, in a condolence message, prayed for the salvation of the departed soul.