The 13th National Parliament of Bangladesh has passed the Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Bill 2026, maintaining the ban on Awami League activities imposed during the interim government. The bill, introduced by Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, was approved by voice vote on Wednesday, April 8. The amendment mirrors the earlier ordinance issued under the interim administration, without adding new punitive provisions for conducting banned activities.

During the session, Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed allowed the Home Minister to present the bill as part of the supplementary agenda. Opposition Leader Dr. Shafiqul Rahman requested more time to review the document, citing its late distribution, but the Speaker ruled that objections could no longer be accepted at that stage. The bill was then passed without further debate or amendment.

According to analysts cited in the report, the law’s passage formalizes the ban on Awami League and its affiliated organizations, potentially enabling legal proceedings against its members under anti-terrorism provisions.