DHAKA, Jan 19, 2022 (BSS) - Qazi Anwar Hussain, noted writer and founder of 'Sheba Prokashoni', breathed his last while undergoing treatment at BIRDEM Hospital around 4.40 pm today.

   He was 85.

   According to family sources, Qazi Anwar was diagnosed with prostate cancer on October last year and was admitted to hospital several times.

   Later, he also suffered a brain stroke and a heart attack.

   He was kept on life support on January 10 last, the sources added.

   Born on July 19, 1936, in the capital, Hussain mainly wrote spy thriller, detective and adventure based novels most of which are adaptation translation from or heavily influenced by foreign literature.

   "Masud Rana", the popular spy-thriller series was created with the hands of Hussain.

   Hussain obtained his Master's Degree in Bengali literature and language from the University of Dhaka.

   In the middle of 1960, he started a paperback publishing house called Sheba Prokashoni with four writers, three of whom were his own pen-names.

   The publishing house was credited with publishing works of world literature, as well as original work.