State Minister for Liberation War Affairs Ishraque Hossain has said he will make a final announcement regarding his resignation at 2pm on Monday, amid conflicting reports about whether Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has asked him to step down.

The controversy erupted after several media outlets reported on Sunday that the prime minister had instructed Ishraque to resign following public criticism over his participation in an armed anti-drug operation in Dhaka’s Gendaria area on Saturday.

According to reports citing government sources, Tarique summoned the state minister to the Secretariat after a cabinet meeting and expressed dissatisfaction with his conduct during the operation.

However, no official confirmation of a resignation order had been issued at the time of reporting.

Ishraque initially dismissed the reports as rumours in an audio message, saying there was no truth to the claims.

His press officer, Mahfuz Kabir Mukta, also described the reports as false, baseless and politically motivated.

In a statement, the press officer said no instruction had been issued by the government’s top leadership asking Ishraque to resign.

He urged media outlets to withdraw the reports and warned that legal action could be taken against those spreading what he called misinformation.

However, in a Facebook post late Sunday night, Ishraque said any instruction from the prime minister to a cabinet member, including an order to resign, would take effect immediately under established convention.

He added that if any such decision concerning him or the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs took effect, he would inform the nation through a press conference at the earliest opportunity.

The controversy stems from videos circulated on social media showing Ishraque carrying a firearm during an anti-drug operation near the Dayaganj Ghuntighar railway crossing, close to Gendaria Railway Station.

The footage showed members of his entourage carrying firearms as well, triggering criticism over a state minister’s involvement in an armed operation.

Ishraque has defended his actions, claiming that he displayed a licensed firearm for self-defence amid security concerns.

He said the operation targeted suspected drug dens and that six suspected drug traders were handed over to police.

Meanwhile, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police has launched an investigation into the incident to determine whether any laws were violated.

As of Monday morning, the reported resignation order remained officially unconfirmed, while Ishraque’s planned announcement was expected to clarify his position.