National Parliament Speaker Major (Retd) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed has said that State Minister Ishraque Hossain acted with good intentions by moving to suppress alleged drug-related criminals, but carrying a firearm was inappropriate for someone holding ministerial office.
He made the remarks on Tuesday afternoon while speaking as the chief guest at a public reception organised jointly by Lalmohan Upazila BNP, municipal BNP and their affiliated organisations at the Lalmohan Upazila Parishad auditorium in Bhola.
Referring to Ishraque’s participation in an anti-drug operation in Dhaka, the Speaker said a group of drug users had allegedly fired at police, prompting Ishraque to intervene. Although he praised the initiative to confront the alleged offenders, he said carrying a firearm was unbecoming of a minister.
“A minister has security personnel and the police force at his disposal. If the police are weak, party activists may assist. But it does not befit a leader of ministerial rank to carry a firearm, whether legally or illegally,” he said.
Hafiz Uddin said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman had directed Ishraque to resign for that reason. He added that ordinary people might recognise and appreciate Ishraque’s efforts to confront criminals in the future.
Addressing BNP leaders and activists, the Speaker cited Ishraque’s resignation and action taken against a female lawmaker over allegations of hospital occupation as examples of the government’s stance on accountability. He said political parties had rarely taken such strict measures against their own members in the past.
He praised the Prime Minister for taking a firm position on law and order and urged BNP leaders and activists to support the government and administration in serving the public after what he described as years of misrule under the Awami League.
Speaking about his role as Speaker, Hafiz Uddin said he had sought to remain impartial in parliamentary proceedings. He said both government and opposition lawmakers had been given equal opportunities to speak, including when criticising the government, without attempts to silence them.
He emphasised that democracy requires both government and opposition parties to have equal opportunities to express their views in Parliament.