Mohiuddin Alamgir

Twenty of the 133 ordinances issued by the interim government -- including major reforms on judicial independence, human rights, and anti-corruption -- are set to lose validity from today.

Eminent rights activists have criticised the parliamentary special committee’s recommendation to drop key ordinances issued by the interim government, noting that most of them are tied to crucial reforms.

Bangladesh’s political journey has repeatedly swung between hope and disappointment. The question now is whether the country is about to witness yet another repeat of that cycle.

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.

What American diplomats and doctors saw in Dhaka after Operation Searchlight

It is rare for a government decision in Bangladesh to move at lightning speed -- raised in parliament one day and implemented the very next.

The 13th parliament yesterday held its inaugural sitting amid a heated atmosphere, as opposition MPs staged a walkout in protest against President Mohammed Shahabuddin speaking in the House.

Though the BNP won the February 12 national polls decisively, the main opposition Jamaat-e-Islami performed stronger in postal ballots.