Dhaka, Oct 20 (V7N)- Dhaka-6 lawmaker Ishraq Hossain has criticised National Citizen Party (NCP) convener Nahid Islam over comments concerning his anti-drug campaign, accusing him of focusing on alleged criminal offences rather than addressing the drug problem.

In a Facebook post on Monday night, Ishraq said he had previously regarded Nahid as an advocate of a new political settlement. However, he expressed disappointment over Nahid’s reported response to a journalist’s question about the controversy surrounding him.

According to Ishraq, Nahid had focused on identifying his alleged criminal offences and the establishment of the rule of law rather than discussing the drug problem and possible solutions.

“Wouldn’t it have been better to address the drug issue first?” Ishraq wrote, adding sarcastically that he would then have been “hanged.”

He also questioned whether the NCP could deliver the political changes it had promised, expressing doubt about the party’s future.

Ishraq said he had received a phone call from another young person who expressed concern about the devastating impact of drugs and reportedly asked to join him in tackling the problem.

Referring to the rule of law, Ishraq challenged Nahid to file a case against him if there were legal grounds to do so, saying he would surrender and face the judicial process.

He further argued that efforts to combat drugs could expose those involved to criminal cases, but maintained that action should be pursued through legal channels.

At the end of his post, Ishraq hinted at a different approach to tackling drug trafficking and issued a warning directed at major drug dealers and sellers, saying further action was coming soon.

The exchange follows controversy over Ishraq’s display of a firearm during an anti-drug operation in Dhaka’s Gendaria area. He subsequently announced his resignation as State Minister for Liberation War Affairs, while saying his campaign against drugs would continue.

Nahid Islam’s response to Ishraq’s latest remarks was not included in the information available for this report.

END/SMA/AJ