Ishraque Hossain has resigned as the State Minister for Liberation War Affairs following public outrage over a viral video showing him brandishing a firearm during an anti-drug drive in the capital.
Ishraque Hossain the BNP MP for Dhaka-6, announced his decision at the National Press Club on Monday afternoon. The move came after Prime Minister Tarique Rahman summoned him on Sunday following a cabinet meeting and instructed him to step down.
The controversy erupted after a video posted on Ishraque’s official Facebook page on Saturday showed him stepping out of a vehicle in Gandaria with a pistol, shouting and chasing a group of people alongside armed plainclothes companions. In a statement on Sunday, Ishraque defended his actions also claiming he briefly raised his licensed firearm in self-defense after security sources warned of imminent threats from local drug dealers.
However, the incident sparked widespread criticism and prompted the Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s Detective Branch to review the footage for potential legal action.
Ishraque took office as State Minister in February 2026 after winning the Dhaka-6 parliamentary seat with 78,850 votes. Following his resignation, he pledged to continue his anti-drug campaign as a political activist with stating he would focus on organizational work for the Jatiyatabadi Prajanma Dal across the country.
