PM’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim Helal no more

Prime Minister's Press Secretary and veteran journalist Ihsanul Karim Helal has passed away. He was 73.

Ihsanul Karim breathed his last at the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) Hospital at 8:00pm today, PM's Deputy Press Secretary MM Emrul Kayas told BSS.

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

His namaz-e-janaza will be held at the National Press Club at 11:00am where he will be given a guard of honour. He will be buried at Banani graveyard after Zohr prayers.

Prior to his appointment at the Prime Minister's Office on June 15, 2015, Karim worked as the press secretary to President Abdul Hamid from May 21, 2013.

On April 7, 2009, Karim was appointed as the managing director and chief editor of Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS).

President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have expressed profound shock and sorrow over Karim's demise.

In a condolence message, Shahabuddin said the country lost an eminent journalist, media personality and an efficient official at his death.

He said Ihsanul Karim's contribution to journalism will be remembered forever. 

In her message of condolence, Hasina said, "Karim had performed his duty with utmost sincerity and devotion as my press secretary."

"With his sad demise, the mass media people have lost a colleague and I have lost my trusted officer," he added.

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

Born on January 5, 1951 in Kushtia district, Ihsanul Karim obtained his Master's degree in Economics from Dhaka University and later Post Graduate Diploma in Journalism.

Karim also received a postgraduate degree on Development Journalism from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication  (IIMC). He was the president of IIMC Alumni Association, Bangladesh chapter until his death.

Karim joined BSS in 1972 and served in different capacities over nearly four decades at home and abroad.

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

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