News Flash
SANGSAD BHABAN, April 27, 2026 (BSS) - Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed today told the Jatiya Sangsad that a nationwide concerted enforcement drive will be launched after April 30 to curb illegal drugs, including shisha lounges (lead lounges) operations, and online gambling, reiterating that there is “no alternative” to such measures to protect the country’s youth.
“The government has adopted a zero-tolerance policy against narcotics and cyber-based gambling platforms” he said describing them as major threats to public health, morality, and social stability.
The Home Minister gave this statement in Jatiya Sangsad today in response to a notice on matters of public importance placed by ruling party lawmaker Zainul Abdin Farroque (Noakhali-2). In the notice, the lawmaker drew attention of the Home Minister to shut down illegal shisha lounges in guise of residential buildings, cafes and restaurants in the city’s posh areas.
Mentioning that the youth are being increasingly targeted by drugs and online gambling networks, Salahuddin Ahmed said to protect them, a coordinated nationwide drive involving all relevant agencies will begin after April 30 just after the end of the current Jatiya Sangsad session. “There is no alternative to this initiative,” the Home Minister told Parliament.
He said illegal shisha (lead) lounges operating under the disguise of restaurants, cafés, and residential facilities in different parts of the capital have already been brought under intensified surveillance.
Law enforcement agencies, including the Department of Narcotics Control, have been conducting regular raids and mobile court operations, he said.
“The Department of Narcotics Control, along with other law enforcement agencies, is carrying out continuous drives. We are also strengthening intelligence monitoring so that these establishments can’t re-emerge under new names or locations,” he added.
The Minister further informed the House that under the Narcotics Control Act, 2018 (amended in 2020), shisha containing harmful substances is classified as a controlled narcotic item, making its unauthorized use and trade illegal.
He said several recent operations in areas such as Gulshan, Banani, Dhanmondi, and Uttara have resulted in the seizure of illegal shisha equipment and materials.
City corporations and local authorities, he noted, are also working in coordination with enforcement agencies to identify and shut down such illegal businesses. “No trade license is issued for shisha lounges. Any such activity is completely illegal and will be dealt with strictly,” he added.
Meanwhile, BNP leader Zainul Abdin Farroque sought attention of the government over the persistence of illegal shisha lounges calling for stronger accountability and transparency in anti-drug operations.
Speaking in Parliament, he said, “Despite repeated drives, illegal shisha bars continue to operate in different parts of the capital … the government must ensure that enforcement is not limited to temporary raids”.
Farroque also said if the government is truly serious about protecting the youth, it must show measurable results. “The public wants to know how many offenders have been arrested and how many establishments have been permanently shut,” he added.
In response, the Home Minister said the government is committed to sustained action rather than sporadic raids. “We are not stopping at temporary measures. A structured, coordinated nationwide campaign will be launched after April 30, involving all agencies,” he said.
He also emphasized that the upcoming drive will focus not only on drugs and shisha but also on online gambling platforms, which have rapidly expanded in recent years and are increasingly affecting young people.
“The government is fully aware of the evolving nature of these threats. Our objective is to protect the youth from all forms of addiction—whether physical or digital,” the minister added.
The Jatiya Sangsad was further informed that any individual or institution found facilitating such illegal activities will face strict legal consequences following proper investigation.
The Home Minister concluded by reaffirming the government’s stance. “Protecting the youth is our highest priority. There is no alternative to a united, coordinated national effort against drugs and online gambling,” he said.
