Dhaka, April 28 -- Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Monday said the government would launch a coordinated nationwide crackdown on gambling, online betting and drugs after April 30 as part of its zero-tolerance policy against narcotics and illegal activities.

He made the announcement in Parliament during the 22nd sitting of the first session of the 13th Jatiya Sangsad while responding to a notice under Rule 71 submitted by MP Zainul Abedin Farroque.

The notice raised concerns over illegal shisha lounges operating under the guise of restaurants and cafes in upscale areas of the capital. Replying to the query, the minister said that under the amended Narcotics Control Act 2018 (amended in 2020), shisha has been classified as a Category 'B...