Mirza Ali Behrouze Ispahani, chairman of MM Ispahani Limited, a leading industrial conglomerate of Bangladesh, passed away at a Dhaka hospital on Monday. He was 66.

Behrouze Ispahani, also the managing director of International Publications Limited which owns English daily The Financial Express, breathed his last at Apollo Hospitals Ltd around 5:20am, said family sources.

His first namaz-e-janaza was held at Gulshan Azad Mosque in the city after Asr prayers, reports UNB.

He was buried at a graveyard in Hoseni Dalan area around 8:00pm following another janaza at Hoseni Dalan Mosque in old Dhaka.

Behrouze Ispahani took over as the chairman of MM Ispahani Limited, also known as the Ispahani Group, in 2004. He led the group for over 12 years.

He was a member of Dhaka Stock Exchange and the Board of Trustees of Independent University, Bangladesh, and chairman of Ispahani Islamia Eye Institute and Hospital, and Ispahani Public School and College.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed deep shock at the death of the MM Ispahani Limited chairman.

In a condolence message, the Prime Minister recalled Ispahani's contributions towards flourishing trade and commerce in the country through his industrial group.

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