Parliament passes 97 of 133 ordinances unchanged: Law minister

Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md Asaduzzaman has said that 97 out of the 133 ordinances originally promulgated by the previous interim government and recently placed before parliament were passed without any changes.

“In compliance with the constitutional obligation under Article 93 of the constitution, we placed the 133 ordinances promulgated by the previous interim government before the Parliament within the stipulated time during the first session of the 13th parliament. Of the ordinances, 97 were converted into law in the form of bills without any changes. Another 13 ordinances were amended and enacted into law. Seven ordinances were lapsed and kept in abeyance,” he said at a press briefing at the home ministry this afternoon (12 April).

The minister said a special committee, after reviewing the ordinances, submitted its report to parliament on 2 April. Following the report, the relevant ordinances were placed in parliament as bills over the past several days and were discussed extensively.

Asaduzzaman said the remaining 16 ordinances will undergo further scrutiny and necessary action will be taken in line with the committee’s recommendations.

He noted that “detailed and lively discussions” were held on three to four ordinances in parliament, with arguments and counterarguments. These included the National Human Rights Commission Ordinance, the Supreme Court Judge Appointment Ordinance, and the Supreme Court Secretariat Ordinance.

He added that when these three ordinances were introduced as bills, their preambles and statements of objects and reasons stated the need for further consultation and review before finalisation.

According to the minister, the National Human Rights Commission Ordinance, 2025 requires additional stakeholder consultation, the Supreme Court Judge Appointment Ordinance, 2025 needs further detailed review, and the Supreme Court Secretariat Ordinance, 2025 requires further consultation on the necessity of establishing a secretariat.

“The preambles and statements of objects and reasons clearly reflect the government’s goodwill,” he said, adding that the BNP, as part of its election commitments, supports making such laws more transparent, accountable and time-befitting, and considers justified public demands with importance.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed and Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni were also present.