Former foreign secretary Faruq Ahmed Choudhury, a top diplomat who oversaw the emergence of Bangladesh while in the foreign ministry, died in yesterday at the age of 83.

He breathed his last around 4:30am at the capital's Square Hospital. He had been suffering from multiple diseases of heart, liver and kidney for some time.

Faruq had an outstanding diplomatic career and was the country's top foreign affairs official during 1984-86.

Born in 1934, he entered the Pakistan Foreign Service in 1956 and later went on to hold various positions in the Pakistan Foreign Office and Missions abroad, including in Italy, China, the Netherlands and Algeria.

The diplomat, who had a very rewarding life in his 36-year career, was in charge of Pakistan Foreign Office in Dhaka during the 1971 Liberation War and worked as one of the policymakers in diplomatic arena in support of Bangladesh's independence.

He went to New Delhi to receive the father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman after he was freed from Pakistan jail.

He accompanied Bangabandhu in the aircraft from New Delhi to Dhaka on January 10, 1972. He was a close associate and a trusted diplomat of Bangabandhu and travelled to many countries with him.

“He was a successful civil servant, an outstanding secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a colorful high commissioner in India, and a great organiser of Saarc foreign ministers' conference in its early days. There are so many things to remember about Faruq but the unforgettable thing is his loud laughter,” said Finance Minister AMA Muhith in a statement.

After liberation, Faruq was appointed the first Chief of Protocol of Bangladesh in 1972.

He served as deputy high commissioner of Bangladesh in London from 1972-76. During this period, he was involved with the final phase of the negotiations leading to Bangladesh's entry to the Commonwealth.

From 1976-78, he was ambassador to the UAE and Bahrain and from 1978-82 to the EEC and Benelux countries.

After returning home, he became the chief coordinator of the 13th OIC Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Dhaka in 1983 when he served as additional foreign secretary for a year.

He became foreign secretary in 1984, serving for two years. He then served as Bangladesh high commissioner to India from 1986-92.

After retirement in 1992, he came out with another revelation of his genius as an outstanding columnist and writer. He associated himself with social work and authored a number of books. He also served Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee (BRAC), one of the largest NGOs of the world, in different capacities.

He became a member of the Awami League Advisory Council (Foreign Affairs) in 2002 and was the contact person of foreign diplomats. He played an important role for the Awami League's foreign affairs during the BNP-Jamaat's 2001-06 government tenure.

Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed said Faruq played a very crucial role in re-structuring the foreign ministry. “With his departure, the country has lost an efficient diplomat and this loss is not repairable.”

Cultural Minister Asaduzzaman Noor said Faruq was concerned about the rise of radicalism and often inquired about what was going on. “We had many things to learn from him. We have lost a good friend, both politically and personally.”

Ex-foreign secretary Hemayetuddin said his passing left a vacuum that would be felt by the nation for all time.

“The nation owes him a debt of honour for the selfless services he has rendered from the very early days of our emergence as a sovereign and independent country and for setting up the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of our great country,” he said.

Faruq was the eldest among four brothers and two sisters. One of his brothers, ex-secretary Enam Ahmed Choudhury, is an adviser to BNP chief Khaleda Zia.

Another brother, former career diplomat Iftekhar Ahmed Choudhury, served as the Foreign Affairs Adviser to the military-backed caretaker government of 2007-08. His other brother was former ambassador Masum Ahmed Choudhury, who died in 2012.

Among his sisters, Nasim Hai is the widow of martyred freedom fighter Col Syed Abdul Hai. His youngest sister, Nina Ahmed, married Fakhruddin Ahmed, former chief adviser to the 2007-08 caretaker government.

Faruq Choudhury is survived by his wife Zeenat Choudhury, businessman son Adnan Choudhury and daughter Farzana Ahmed, who lives in Australia.

He also left behind a host of relatives, friends, admirers and well-wishers to mourn his death.

President Md Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed their deep sorrow at his death.

Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam and Foreign Secretary Md Shahidul Haque also expressed profound shock.

 His first namaz-e-the foreign ministry after Zohr prayers, and another after Asr prayers at Baitul Aman Mosque in Dhanmondi. He was later laid to rest at Azimpur graveyard.