State Minister for Liberation War Affairs Ishrak Hossain has announced that he will make a final declaration regarding his resignation from the cabinet at a press conference scheduled for 2:00 pm on Monday, October 19, at the National Press Club in Dhaka. The announcement comes amid growing public attention following a controversial incident during an anti-drug operation in the capital.
In a post published on his verified Facebook account on Monday morning, Ishrak said he would address journalists and formally announce his decision regarding his position as state minister. His statement has drawn attention to the political developments surrounding the incident and the debate over his future in government.
Ishrak also responded to reactions on social media, saying he had noticed some people celebrating the possibility of his departure from office. In his post, he expressed hope that those celebrating would also participate in future movements or struggles if the country required them, rather than remaining abroad.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding his ministerial position, Ishrak made it clear that his commitment to fighting drug-related activities would continue. He said he intended to pursue anti-drug efforts with significantly greater enthusiasm, even if he no longer served as a member of parliament or held a ministerial position. Instead, he said, he would continue his work as an activist of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).
The state minister also outlined plans to strengthen the organisational activities of Projonmo Dal across the country. According to his statement, he intends to visit different districts to help improve the organisation’s nationwide structure. He also indicated that cleanliness campaigns would be intensified as part of his future activities.
The announcement follows controversy surrounding a video that circulated on social media showing Ishrak carrying a firearm during an anti-drug operation in Dhaka’s Gandaria area. The incident sparked public discussion and prompted questions about the circumstances surrounding the display of the weapon.
On Sunday, reports emerged claiming that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman had instructed Ishrak to resign from his ministerial position. However, Ishrak subsequently dismissed those reports as rumours, while his press officer also denied that the prime minister or any senior government official had ordered him to step down.
Against this backdrop, Ishrak’s announcement of a press conference has added a new dimension to the unfolding political situation. His remarks suggest that he intends to clarify his position publicly while outlining how he plans to continue his political and social activities.
For now, attention is focused on the press conference scheduled for Monday afternoon, where Ishrak is expected to provide further details about his decision. Until that announcement is made, the precise status of his resignation remains subject to his formal declaration.
In his Facebook post, Ishrak concluded by emphasising that his priority was not the ministerial position itself but the fight against drugs. He reiterated his commitment to drug eradication, signalling that the issue would remain central to his activities regardless of his role in government.
Reporting by Borderless for The Borderless Journal. Filed under Uncategorized · 19 Oct 2026, 09:58.
