Dhaka: Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairperson Khaleda Zia expressed deep shock at the death of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman’s brother Ahmed Kamal.

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

Ahmed Kamal passed away here on Thursday. He was 70.

Kamal was taken to Holy Family Hospital after he fell sick at his Sabujbagh residence at noon. He was declared dead at the hospital in the afternoon, said BNP Chairperson's media wing member Sayrul Kabir Khan.

He said Kamal had long been suffering from various old-age complications and diabetes.

His body will be kept at the mortuary of Holy Family Hospital and his namaz-e-janaza will be held at Baitul Mukarram National Mosque after Juma prayers on Friday. Kamal will be buried beside his father at his family graveyard in Bogra.

However, the date of his burial will be finalised later.

Kamal was the youngest one among the five brothers of Ziaur Rahman. He was a confirmed bachelor.

BNP sources said Kamal had no contact with Ziaur Rahman’s family for a long time.

On March 5, 2015, at a discussion at the city's Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh, he announced to float a new political party as he said BNP's many activities do not match with its founder Ziaur Rahman's ideology.