Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has expressed deep sorrow over the death of former MP and BNP Commerce Affairs Secretary Salahuddin Ahmed, who died at a hospital in the capital on Tuesday night.

Salahuddin breathed his last at Evercare Hospital Dhaka at 8:10pm, said his son Tanvir Ahmed Robin, member secretary of Dhaka South City BNP.

In a condolence message issued on Tuesday night, the Prime Minister prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul and conveyed his deepest sympathy to the bereaved family.

He said Salahuddin was a courageous and dedicated leader who played an active role in the BNP's political movements and struggles. “Salahuddin stood firm in hard times.”

Tarique Rahman said Salahuddin had contributed to the party's organisational activities with courage, dedication and determination during difficult times, adding that his political life and activities will remain memorable to BNP leaders and activists.

He said the BNP will remember Salahuddin's contributions to the country and the party with respect. “His death is an irreparable loss to the party, which has lost a devoted leader,” he added.

The Prime Minister also prayed to Almighty Allah to grant the bereaved family members, relatives and well-wishers the strength and patience to bear the loss.

Salahuddin, a former general secretary of undivided Dhaka city BNP, had been suffering from various health complications for several years and was recently admitted to Evercare Hospital.

He was elected MP from the Dhaka-4 and Dhaka-5 constituencies as a BNP candidate in the 1991, February 1996 and 2001 parliamentary elections.

He contested the June 1996, 2008 and 2018 national elections but was defeated.

During the 2018 parliamentary election, he was seriously injured in a knife attack while protesting alleged irregularities in the voting.