President accepts Ishraque's resignation
Ishraque, also the Dhaka-6 MP, announced his resignation yesterday (19 October), amid controversy over his participation in an anti-drug operation while carrying a firearm.
President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has accepted the resignation letter of Ishraque Hossain as state minister for liberation war affairs.
The resignation would take effect immediately, according to a gazette notification signed by Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Gani and issued by the Cabinet Division today (20 October).
Ishraque, also the BNP lawmaker for Dhaka-6 constituency, announced his resignation at a press conference at the National Press Club yesterday (19 October), amid controversy over his participation in an anti-drug operation while carrying a firearm.
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He said he had met Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and voluntarily sought release from his ministerial responsibilities to focus on eliminating drugs in Dhaka-6 and neighbouring areas.
The controversy erupted after videos circulated on social media on Saturday (17 October), showing Ishraque carrying a firearm during an anti-drug drive in the capital's Gandaria area. The incident drew widespread criticism and raised questions about his conduct as a state minister.
Defending his actions, Ishraque said he held a valid licence for his firearm and had carried it for self-protection. He also said media coverage of the operation had embarrassed the ruling BNP.
Before announcing his resignation, Ishraque had disputed media reports that the prime minister had instructed him to step down, describing the reports as unverified and false.
He pledged to continue his anti-drug campaign as a BNP activist rather than as a state minister.
