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The Cabinet Division has received the resignation letter of Ishraque Hossain, state minister for Liberation War Affairs, and a gazette notification formalising his resignation may be issued today (Monday), October 19.
A senior source at the Cabinet Division confirmed receipt of the letter, according to reports.
Earlier in the day, Ishraque announced his resignation at a press conference at the National Press Club in Dhaka at around 2:30pm.
According to the established procedure, the resignation letter is forwarded to the president for acceptance, after which the Cabinet Division issues a gazette notification formalising the decision.
Ishraque, the lawmaker representing the Dhaka-6 constituency, said he had decided to step down voluntarily after discussions with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.
He said he did not want his actions to overshadow the government’s activities.
The resignation follows controversy over his participation in an anti-drug operation in Dhaka while carrying a firearm.
Videos of the incident circulated on social media, triggering criticism and raising questions about the conduct of a government official.
Ishraque has maintained that he did not commit any wrongdoing and said he would continue his anti-drug campaign as a Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) activist.
Before his resignation, the cabinet had 24 state ministers. His departure would reduce the number to 23, excluding any subsequent changes.
