Ishraque to resign at 2pm over firearm display
File Photo
State Minister of Liberation War Affairs Ishraque Hossain faced controversy after participating in an anti-drug drive holding a firearm. Amid mounting controversy, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman had previously issued instructions regarding his resignation from the post of state minister.
Although he called this instruction a rumor at night, Ishraque changed his stance in the Monday morning and announced his resignation himself.
Ishraque said on his verified Facebook page he would resign at 2 pm. He posted several times regarding his resignation so far. In the post, he wrote, “I will make the final announcement of my resignation from the post of state minister for the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs at the National Press Club today at 2:00 PM. I will face the journalists.”
Earlier, on Sunday, after completing his scheduled program in Savar, the prime minister called Ishraque upon arriving at the Secretariat. He sought clarification regarding Ishraque’s presence with a firearm during an anti-drug operation in Dhaka’s Gendaria. After evening, news spread that the prime minister had directed Ishraque to resign; however, he claimed this news to be “fabricated” and “baseless”.
In a Facebook post at the time, Ishraque added, “No instruction has been given to me from the high level of the government to resign. The question of my resignation does not even arise. A quarter is spreading such false information to achieve political motives and create confusion among the public.”
On Saturday, controversy erupted over Ishraque’s presence holding a firearm during an anti-drug drive in Dhaka’s Gendaria. While some viewed his initiative to eradicate drugs positively, questions were raised regarding the display of weapons, coordination with police, and the role of a public representative in law enforcement. Ishraque claimed that he raised the weapon in self-defense. The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) is investigating the incident.
In another Facebook post, Ishraque claimed that during the anti-drug program, 30-35 people advanced toward their motorcade aggresively. Fearing an attack, he raised his licensed firearm in self-defense.
