Renowned editor Toab Khan, once press secretary to Bangabandhu, dies aged 87

The Ekushey Padak-winning journalist passes away at a hospital in Dhaka

Toab Khan, a renowned editor and once press secretary to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, has died at the age of 87 from old-age complications.

The Ekushey Padak-winning journalist was admitted to a hospital in Dhaka where he passed away at 12:30 pm on Saturday.

President Md Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have expressed condolences over the journalist’s death.

Khan was the press secretary to Bangabandhu between 1973 and 1975. He also served as the chief information officer and the director general of the Press Institute of Bangladesh.

During the 1971 Liberation War, Khan was a member of the Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra. He oversaw the ‘Pindir Prolap’ show on the station, which was known for its striking presentation.

Khan began a career in journalism with the weekly Janata in 1953. He joined the daily Sangbad in 1955 and became its news editor in 1961. In 1964, he joined the Dainik Pakistan.

After independence, he became the first editor of the Dainik Bangla, which replaced the Dianik Pakistan.

He was an advisory editor of the daily Janakantha, which was a turning point in Bangladesh’s newspapers. He finally served as the editor of the Dainik Bangla when it was under private management.

In 2016, Khan received the Ekushey Padak for his contributions to journalism.