Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer and Opposition Leader Dr Shafiqur Rahman has said Ishraq Hossain resigned as state minister for liberation war affairs at the request of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

“Since the Prime Minister wanted it, Ishraq resigned,” Shafiqur Rahman told journalists during his visit to Chattogram on Tuesday.

Commenting on Ishraq’s possession of a firearm during an anti-drug operation, the Jamaat chief said drugs were destroying society and Ishraq had taken necessary action. However, he said it would have been better if Ishraq had not carried a weapon.

He added that even when the intention was good, a public representative carrying a firearm in broad daylight or pointing it at someone could set a negative example. He stressed that the acceptability of an action depended not only on its intention but also on the method used.

On drug control, Shafiqur Rahman said his party wanted to eliminate drugs, not merely control them, and called for effective measures alongside legislation.

Earlier, he attended the Chattogram Metropolitan Jamaat-e-Islami’s Former Associates and Members Conference 2026 at GEC Convention Hall in Khulshi. The event, held from 11:25am to 1:15pm, was attended by approximately 2,000 to 2,500 party leaders and activists.

Addressing the conference, he urged Jamaat and Islami Chhatra Shibir members to remain committed to the organisation throughout their lives. He also said the changes initiated by the July 2024 mass uprising had yet to receive proper recognition.

He said the party had accepted the outcome of the last election in the greater interest of the country despite dissatisfaction, but warned that this did not mean it would accept the same circumstances in the future.

After the conference, Shafiqur Rahman visited Hotel Peninsula in Chawkbazar for lunch and rest. He was scheduled to meet Chittagong University Central Students’ Union (CUCSU) leaders before leaving Chattogram for Dhaka at 4:35pm.