DHAKA, Mar 10, 2024 (BSS) - Prime Minister's Press Secretary, eminent journalist and 1971 Liberation War veteran Ihsanul Karim Helal passed away at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) this evening.  

He was 74.

Karim breathed his last around 8pm at BSMMU where he was under life-support with multiple-organ complications, hospital and family sources said.

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

According to initial plan, his namaj-e-janaza will be held at the National Press Club at 11am tomorrow where he will be given guard of honour. He will be buried at Banani graveyard after Zohr prayers.   

Born in November, 1949 to a respectable Muslim family in Kushtia district, Ihsanul Karim obtained his master's degree in economics from Dhaka University and Post Graduate Diploma in Journalism from the same university.

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

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

On June 15, 2015 he was appointed as Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's press secretary for one year on contract basis and the appointment was extended for three years on June 16 in 2016. His appointment as the PM's press secretary was extended for another three years from June 18, 2019.

Prior to his appointment in the Prime Minister's Office, Karim served as the press secretary to the President and ahead of that, he served as the chief editor and managing director of national news agency Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS), where he made his debut in the career as a staff reporter in 1972.

He also served as New Delhi correspondent of BSS in India for five years.

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