The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Dhaka

Former minister and eminent journalist Anwar Zahid died of old age complications with acute lung infections in the city's United Hospital on Wednesday. He was 73.

He left behind one son, one daughter and a host of relatives, friends and well-wishers to mourn his death, family sources said.

Zahid, a veteran leftist turned journalist, was admitted to the United Hospital last week with lung infections. He was also suffering from diabetes while both of his kidneys were damaged. He was given dialysis for the last nine months.

Anwar Zahid was born in a respectable Muslim family in Jhenaidah district. He was elected twice as President of the undivided Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ).

Later, he joined active politics and became Minister for Information and also Labour and Manpower in the government of former President Hossain Mohammad Ershad. Afterward, he joined the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).

Jatiya Press Club President Shaukat Mahmud and General Secretary Kamal Uddin Sabuj expressed their deep shock at the death of Anwar Zahid.

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