Veteran journalist Mahbubul Alam passed away at BIRDEM Hospital in the capital on Friday morning. He was 82.

First namaz-e-janaza Mahbubul Alam, former editor of The Independent, was held at Gushan Azad mosque after Asr prayer on Friday, said assistant editor of The Independent Syed Mehedi Momin, who is also the nephew of Alam.

Mahbubul Alam had been on life support from Thursday at the Intensive care Unit (ICU) of BIRDEM Hospital because of multiple organs failure.

He went on retirement on October 19 last year after serving The Independent as the editor for 18 years. Later, he was made an adviser to the BEXIMCO Group.

He was also the Managing Director and Chief Editor of Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS).

Born in Munshiganj district in 1936, Mabbubul Alam started his career in journalism in 1953.

The former adviser of a caretaker government left behind his wife and three daughters to mourn his death. They all are now staying in the USA.

The decision for his burial will be taken after arrival of his wife and daughters from abroad.

Meanwhile, President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Friday expressed deep shock at the death of Mahbubul Alam.

In separate messages of condolence, the President and the Prime Minister also prayed for eternal peace of the departed soul and conveyed sympathy to the members of the bereaved family.

In his condolence message, the President recalled Alam’s colourful professional life and his contribution to the development of journalism in the country.

observerbd