Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Sunday expressed deep shock and sorrow at the death of noted educationist and Bangla Academy President Professor Abul Quasem Fazlul Huq.

In a message of condolence, the Prime Minister said the country has lost an eminent educationist and writer at the death of Huq.

"His death created a vacuum in the country’s arena of education which will never be filled easily," the Prime Minister added in his statement.

He prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul and conveyed his profound sympathy to the bereaved family members.

Professor Abul Quasem Fazlul Huq, a revered former faculty member of the Dhaka University Bangla Department and a recipient of the prestigious Bangla Academy Literary Award in 1981, passed away this afternoon in the capital at the age of 85.