MOHIUDDIN ALAMGIR

A special parliamentary committee, reviewing ordinances issued by the interim government, yesterday recommended that 20 of them lapse or expire, including those aimed at ensuring judicial independence, curbing enforced disappearances, and strengthening the anti-corruption and human rights commissions.

In a report placed before parliament by its chief Zainul Abedin, the committee also proposed repealing four of the 20 ordinances.

The 13-member special JS panel, which includes three from the opposition bench, was formed after 133 ordinances passed by the interim government were tabled during the first sitting of the 13th parliament. It was directed to submit its findings by April 2.

According to the constitution, parliament must approve or reject ordinances within 30 days of its first sitting, which took place on March 12. If they are not ratified within this period, the ordinances automatically lapse.

The committee recommended that 98 ordinances remain unchanged and 15 others be amended.

Opposition members in the special committee issued notes of dissent on the decisions regarding 20 ordinances. The notes concern four proposed to remain in force, two recommended for amendment, 11 set to lapse but to be reintroduced later by ministries, and three slated for repeal.

After the report was placed, and following proposals from the law and home ministers, Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad said the reviewed bills recommended for passage will begin to be placed in the House from Monday (April 6).

TO BE REPEALED

The four ordinances that will be straightaway repealed are the Jatiya Sangsad Secretariat (Interim Special Provisions) Ordinance, 2024; Supreme Court Judges Appointment Ordinance, 2025; Supreme Court Secretariat Ordinance, 2025; and Supreme Court Secretariat (Amendment) Ordinance, 2026.

The three ordinances related to the apex court were introduced to ensure judicial independence, create judicial posts, and support the development of the judiciary, with budgetary authority entrusted to the Supreme Court Secretariat under the chief justice’s control. Under the Secretariat’s full operation, authority over the transfer, promotion, and discipline of lower court judges would also be vested in the SC.

Although the constitution requires a law for appointing judges, such legislation has not yet been enacted.

In 2025, the interim government issued the Supreme Court Judges Appointment Ordinance, which aimed to establish a process whereby

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