Ishraque’s office denies resignation order

Collected Photo

The office of Liberation War Affairs State Minister Ishraque Hossain has denied reports that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman ordered him to resign.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the minister’s press officer, Mahfuz Kabir Mukta, said neither the prime minister nor any senior government official had issued such an instruction.

The statement accused an unnamed group of spreading misinformation for political purposes and said Ishraque was continuing his official and political duties.

Reports of the alleged resignation order emerged after a video showing Ishrak carrying a firearm during an anti-drug operation in the capital’s Gandaria area circulated on social media on Saturday.

The minister’s office said the incident occurred during an anti-drug social resistance campaign in his parliamentary constituency and described the display of the firearm as a lawful act of self-defence. It added that Ishrak had already clarified his position on the incident.

The statement urged media outlets to withdraw reports about the alleged resignation and publish accurate information. It also warned of legal action against those involved in spreading what it described as misinformation.

The statement was signed by Mahfuz Kabir Mukta, the minister’s press officer.