Editor of Chittagong-based the Dainik Purbokone Taslim Uddin Chowdhury passed away at a hospital in the capital yesterday. He was 59.

Taslim was a member of the Editors' Council, an organisation of professional editors of almost all the top-circulated newspapers in the country.

He left behind his wife, daughter, two sons and a number of well-wishers.

Around 6:45am, the journalist breathed his last at Dhanmondi Renaissance Hospital where he was undergoing treatment, said Kalim Sarwar, news editor of the Bangla daily.

Taslim had been suffering from cancer for years and he was recently admitted to the hospital as his condition deteriorated, said Kalim, also president of Chittagong Press Club.

His namaz-e-janaza was held in Chittagong city's Nasirabad Government Boys High School field after Esha prayers yesterday. He was later buried at his village home in Sultanpur area of Chittagong's Raozan upazila, Kalim added.

Taslim's father Yusuf Chowdhury had established the daily in 1986, and Taslim took charge of the daily as the editor in 1989. In 2007, he became the chairman of Purbokone Group.

Chittagong Press Club, Chittagong Union of Journalists and several other organisations expressed deep shock at his death and conveyed sympathy to the bereaved family.

Born in January 1, 1958 in Chittagong, Taslim had completed his primary education from Chittagong's Saint Placid's High School and high school education from Faujdarhat Cadet College. He graduated in architecture from Buet.

Taslim had been the president of Chittagong Dairy Farm Association for the last 10 years. Apart from that, he was the former president of Chittagong chapter of the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh, and vice-president of Chittagong Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Before his death, Taslim was a director of Chittagong Stock Exchange, chairman of Chittagong chapter of Institute of Architects, Bangladesh, president of Brihattar Chattagram Unnayan Sangram Parishad, member of Chittagong Development Authority's city development committee and syndicate member of Chittagong Veterinary and Animal Sciences University.

The journalist was also involved with various social and educational institutions.