President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Friday expressed deep shock and grief at the death of prominent journalist and bdnews24.com Editor-in-Chief and Publisher Toufique Imrose Khalidi, saying his contributions to journalism and mass media will be remembered for a long time.

In a condolence message issued from Bangabhaban, the President described Khalidi as a pioneer in the development of online and digital journalism in Bangladesh.

“With his passing, the nation has lost an experienced, courteous, and distinguished media personality,” the President said.

He recalled his personal memories of Khalidi with deep respect and said the veteran journalist’s death was profoundly painful and heartbreaking for him personally.

The President prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul and conveyed his heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved family members.

The condolence message was communicated by Md Sarwar Alam, Press Secretary to the President.

Khalidi, 59, died in London on Friday. He was admitted to St Bartholomew’s Hospital in London on Thursday night after suffering a brain haemorrhage, according to bdnews24.com.

Doctors pronounced him dead at 2:23pm local time on Friday, the news portal reported.

Khalidi was the Editor-in-Chief and Publisher of bdnews24.com and was widely associated with the development of online journalism in Bangladesh.

His death marks the loss of one of the country’s prominent figures in digital and mass media.