Bill Banning Awami League Activities Passed in Parliament; Opposition Leader Denied Additional Time

A bill amending the Anti-Terrorism Act to uphold provisions banning the activities of the Awami League has been passed in the National Parliament. During the session, the opposition leader’s request for additional time to discuss the bill was rejected by the Speaker.

On Wednesday (April 8), Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed presented the “Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Bill–2026” in parliament, which was subsequently passed by a voice vote. As a result, the previously issued ordinance by the interim government has now been formally enacted into law without any changes.

During the session, no significant amendment proposals were raised at the consideration stage, allowing the bill to move forward without detailed discussion. However, at the final stage, Opposition Leader Dr. Shafiqul Rahman requested an opportunity to speak.

He stated that he had received a related document only a short time earlier and had not been able to review it thoroughly. Given the importance of the matter, he requested additional time. However, Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed informed him that the allotted time for objections and discussion had already expired, leaving no room for further delay at that stage.

Later, the Home Minister stated that the law had been amended within a specific context and that any objections could have been raised during earlier stages of the process. He indicated that the decision was made considering the country’s current political environment and public sentiment.

Ultimately, the bill was passed in parliament by a voice vote, thereby maintaining the provision that bans the activities of the concerned political party.

It is worth noting that in May 2025, an ordinance was issued to amend the Anti-Terrorism Act, introducing provisions to ban the activities of a political party. That ordinance has now been formally enacted into law through parliamentary approval.

Source: Parliament Television