AS Mahmud left behind his wife, two sons, a daughter and a host of relatives, friends and well-wishers to mourn his death.

His Namaz-e-janaza was held at London Bricklane Mosque before burial at the Newbury Park graveyard, family sources said.

His qulkhwani will be held at his Dhaka residence at House No. 15B, Road No. 13, Gulshan-1 after Maghrib prayers on Monday.

As its chairman, AS Mahmud was the principal inspiration and organiser of the ETV, Bangladesh's first terrestrial private television channel that went on air on April 14, 2000.

The ETV gained quick fame and popularity for its innovative programmes and creative shows. It was his dream project he created and established successfully, giving Bangladesh a private TV channel that could compare itself in standards, innovations and creativity with similar ventures globally.

AS Mahmud was born into an illustrious family in Sylhet in 1933. The famous writer, Syed Mujtaba Ali, was his maternal uncle.

He graduated from Dhaka University and became a successful businessman. He was elected president of Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry for four consecutive terms from 1988.

His career started in Shell Oil Company from which he joined Pakistan National Oil (PNO) after its launch.

After the independence of Bangladesh, the PNO was renamed as Jamuna Oil Company of which he became the deputy chief before quitting in 1977 to enter the world of private business by joining Transcom Group of companies.

He later left Transcom and founded the ETV. He was greatly disheartened when the ETV was closed down on August 29, 2002 after a legal battle.

Earlier in 1991, he became the managing director of Mediaworld and later became its publisher at the death of SM Ali, the newspaper's founder editor and publisher.

AS Mahmud was also the chairman of Reliance Insurance Company, director of Infrastructure Development Company, jointly financed by the government and the World Bank, and chairman of Unidev Ltd.

Mahmud also served the National Pay Commission and Industrial Development Council of the World Bank as a member.

According to a press release issued by the ETV in Dhaka yesterday, Mahmud went to London for treatment a few days before the closure of ETV and stayed there until his death.

He was buried there according to his wish, family sources said.

CONDOLENCES

Leader of the Opposition Sheikh Hasina expressed deep shock at the death of AS Mahmud.

In a condolence message, she prayed for the salvation of the departed soul and conveyed sympathy to the bereaved family members.

ETV Chairman Abdus Salam also expressed profound shock at the death of AS Mahmud and recalled his contribution to objective journalism and the flourish of freethinking in Bangladesh.

A milad mahfil and a condolence meeting will be held at the ETV office at 4:00pm on Sunday.