Ishraque Hossain, state minister for Liberation War Affairs, will announce his resignation from the post at 2pm on Monday.
He disclosed the decision in a post on his verified Facebook page around 8:30am on Monday.
In the post, he said, “Today at 2pm, I will make the final announcement of my resignation from the post of State Minister for Liberation War Affairs at the Jatiya Press Club and will face journalists, Insha’Allah.”
“I have seen some civil society figures expressing jubilation on Facebook. I hope that if a movement or struggle is ever needed in the future, they will return to the country from abroad, inspired by nationalist ideals, and join that movement.”
He added that after stepping down, he would work against drugs with “a hundred times greater enthusiasm” as a BNP activist rather than as a member of parliament or state minister. He also warned that cleanliness drives would be intensified further.
Ishraque said his resignation would allow him to visit different districts across the country to strengthen the organisational capacity of the “Projonmo Dal”.
“Not a minister, but drug eradication. Drug eradication, drug eradication,” he said.
Around 1am, Ishraque said in another Facebook status that if any directive regarding his resignation, or any other instruction, came from the prime minister, it would be implemented in accordance with established practice. He said there was no need to verify such information through any third or fourth party.
Ishraque further said that if any such decision concerning the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs or himself became effective, the public would be informed of the details through a press conference.
Earlier, a video showing him chasing suspected drug users while carrying a pistol sparked widespread public reaction. The incident raised questions about his use of a firearm and possible violations of the law.
Amid the controversy, multiple high-level sources claimed that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman had summoned Ishraque after Sunday’s cabinet meeting and instructed him to resign. However, no one was willing to comment on the matter officially.
Another state minister, speaking to TIMES on condition of anonymity, said the prime minister had called in Ishraque after the cabinet meeting ended.
However, the state minister said he was unaware of any information indicating that Ishraque had been asked to resign.
He further said that the prime minister summoned Ishraque after all ministers and state ministers had left the meeting. An influential official from the Prime Minister’s Press Wing was also present.
On Sunday, an official statement described reports circulating across various media outlets and social media platforms claiming that Ishraque had resigned or had been instructed to step down as completely false, baseless, fabricated and politically motivated.
