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Chattogram: Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer and Opposition Leader Dr Shafiqur Rahman has said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman wanted Ishraq Hossain to resign as state minister for liberation war affairs.
Speaking to journalists during a visit to Chattogram on Tuesday, Shafiqur initially said Ishraq’s resignation was a matter for his party to decide. Responding to a follow-up question, however, he said, “Ishraq resigned because the prime minister wanted him to.”
Shafiqur also commented on Ishraq carrying a firearm during an anti-drug operation, saying drugs were destroying society and that Ishraq had done what was necessary under the circumstances.
He noted that police and members of other law enforcement agencies were present during the operation, but said it would have been better if Ishraq had not carried a weapon.
The Jamaat chief said Ishraq’s actions could not be described as entirely negative. However, he cautioned that when an elected representative or state minister carries a firearm in broad daylight or points a weapon at someone, others might interpret the act as an example of how weapons could be used for harmful purposes, even if the original intention was good.
A good intention, he added, did not automatically make every method acceptable. Such incidents should also be assessed in terms of responsible civic conduct.
On tackling drugs, Shafiqur said parliament had passed a law to control narcotics, but his party wanted to eliminate drugs rather than merely regulate them. He stressed the need for practical and effective measures alongside legislation to prevent the spread of narcotics.
Earlier in the day, Shafiqur attended the 2026 former associates and members’ conference organised by Chattogram city Jamaat-e-Islami at the GEC Convention Hall in Khulshi. The event began at 11:25am and continued until 1:15pm.
Around 2,000 to 2,500 party leaders and activists attended the conference, including Jamaat Assistant Secretary General and Chattogram regional director Muhammad Shahjahan, central executive council member and lawmaker Shahjahan Chowdhury, Chattogram city Jamaat Ameer Muhammad Nazrul Islam and its secretary, Principal Muhammad Nurul Amin.
Addressing the gathering, Shafiqur urged members and associates of Jamaat-e-Islami and Islami Chhatra Shibir to remain committed to their organisations throughout their lives.
He said the July 2024 mass uprising had initiated change in the country, but its contribution had yet to receive proper recognition.
The Jamaat chief also recalled what he described as past persecution of party leaders and activists, including alleged harassment, repression and false cases.
He said his party had accepted the outcome of the last election despite dissatisfaction in the broader interest of the country, but stressed that this should not be taken to mean it would accept the same circumstances in the future.
Rejecting allegations that Jamaat leaders sold tickets to heaven, Shafiqur said his party sought to show people the path to heaven.
After the conference, he went to Hotel Peninsula in Chawkbazar at around 1:20pm for lunch and rest. He was scheduled to meet Chittagong University Central Students’ Union (ChakSU) leaders before leaving Chattogram for Dhaka at 4:35pm.
