Journalist and writer Rahat Khan has passed away at the age of 80.
He breathed his last Friday night at 8:00pm at his residence in New Eskaton. He had been suffering from diabetes and various other age-related ailments.
President Md Abdul Hamid and prime minister Sheikh Hasina expressed deep sorrow at his death.
Rahat Khan’s body had been kept at BIRDEM hospital.
Director general of Bangla Academy, Habibullah Shirazi, confirmed the news of his death.
Speaking to Prothom Alo, Habibullah Shirazi said, Rahat Khan was suffering from several old-age ailments including heart disease. His body is being kept Friday night at BIRDEM hospital and then will be brought to the Press Club at around 10am in the morning.
Rahat Khan had been admitted to BIRDEM hospital in the capital city on 20 July with chest ailments. When he developed respiratory problems, he was placed in ICU. As he was not physically fit enough to undergo surgery, he was then treated at home.
Rahat Khan was a renowned writer of Bangladesh. He had been working with the daily Ittefaq since the sixties. He had been acting editor of the newspaper. He received the Ekushey Padak in 1996 and the Bangla Academy award in 1973.