Ishraq Hossain Announces Exit from Cabinet, Vows to Intensify Anti-Drug Campaign

DHAKA, Oct. 19 — Ishraq Hossain has announced his resignation as state minister for liberation war affairs, making the announcement at a news conference at the National Press Club in Dhaka on Monday afternoon.

Hossain made the announcement around 2:30 p.m., accompanied by hundreds of supporters who gathered at the press club and chanted slogans in his support.

Earlier in the morning, Hossain said in a post on his verified Facebook page that he would announce his final decision to resign from the ministry at 2 p.m. and speak to journalists.

In the post, Hossain said he would continue working against drugs with greater commitment as a Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) activist rather than as a lawmaker or minister. He also pledged to intensify cleanliness campaigns and visit districts to strengthen the organizational capacity of the Projonmo Dal.

“Not a minister, but the elimination of drugs,” he wrote, reiterating his commitment to tackling drug-related problems.

Multiple senior government sources said on Sunday that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman had instructed Hossain to resign from the cabinet. According to the sources, the prime minister summoned Hossain after a cabinet meeting at the Secretariat on Sunday afternoon and directed him to step down.

The reported instruction came after Hossain took part in an anti-drug operation in the capital’s Gandaria area on Saturday, during which he was seen raising a firearm. Other people accompanying him were also seen carrying weapons.

Videos of the incident circulated on social media, triggering widespread discussion and criticism. The incident reportedly caused concern and dissatisfaction within both the BNP and the government.

Hossain’s announcement follows the controversy surrounding the operation. He has said he intends to continue anti-drug activities outside his role as a minister or member of parliament.