President accepts Ishraque’s resignation, gazette issued

President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has accepted Ishraque Hossain’s resignation as state minister for liberation war affairs, with the Cabinet Division issuing a gazette notification on Tuesday.

Ishraque, the MP for Dhaka-6, announced his resignation at a press conference at the National Press Club on Monday.

He submitted his written resignation that evening, which was forwarded to the President through Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, Cabinet Division sources said. The President accepted the resignation before the notification was issued on Tuesday.

On Sunday, Ishraque was asked not to attend a Cabinet Division meeting and to step down from his ministerial responsibilities following criticism over his participation in an anti-drug drive.

At Monday’s press conference, Ishraque said he had met the Prime Minister 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 showing Ishraque carrying a firearm during an anti-drug drive in Gandaria. 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 the firearm and had carried it for self-protection. He also said media coverage of the operation had embarrassed the ruling BNP.

On Sunday night, before announcing his resignation, Ishraque disputed media reports that the prime minister had instructed him to step down, describing them as untrue.

At Monday’s press conference, he pledged to continue his anti-drug campaign as a BNP activist rather than as a state minister. He also said he was preparing to contest the Dhaka South City Corporation mayoral election if he received the party’s support.