Ishraque Hossain Announces Decision to Resign as State Minister

State Minister for Liberation War Affairs Ishraque Hossain announced his resignation from the cabinet at the National Press Club in Dhaka shortly after 2pm on Monday.

He said he had decided to step down for personal reasons, although his party did not want him to resign. Addressing journalists, Ishraque vowed to continue his anti-drug campaign with renewed determination despite leaving the cabinet.

“My resignation is necessary for special reasons, but the war against drugs will continue,” he said, adding that the current situation had emerged from his anti-drug operations. He pledged to pursue a more aggressive approach to tackling drugs in the future.

Ishraque stressed that the decision was entirely his own and that the party had not asked him to resign. He said he would continue his fight against drugs outside the cabinet.

Earlier on Monday, he announced on social media that he would make a final declaration regarding his resignation at the National Press Club at 2pm and address journalists.

In the post, he criticised those who had expressed satisfaction over his decision, saying he hoped they would return from abroad to participate in future movements if necessary.

He also said he would pursue the anti-drug campaign with greater enthusiasm as a BNP activist rather than as a lawmaker or state minister.

Ishraque further announced plans to intensify cleanliness campaigns and visit various districts to strengthen the organisational activities of the Jatiyatabadi Projonmo Dal.

His resignation announcement followed controversy surrounding an anti-drug operation on Saturday, during which he was seen carrying a firearm.

Reports emerged on Sunday night that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman had instructed Ishraque to resign following a cabinet meeting. However, Ishraque dismissed the reports as rumours and baseless claims in an audio message sent to the media.

In a social media post published at 12:35am, he said any instruction from the prime minister to a cabinet member regarding resignation or other matters would take effect in accordance with established procedures.

He added that if any such decision concerning him or the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs came into effect, he would promptly inform the public through a press conference.