Letting 20 ordinances involving key reforms lapse has raised concerns that failure to recognise the July National Charter and ensure judicial separation could slow democratic progress.
A special parliamentary committee on Thursday advised against placing the ordinances in the current session, effectively leaving them to expire.
“It may create instability and open the door for a third force to intervene in politics, which could bring serious consequences for the country,” said political analyst Professor Dilara Choudhury.
“It may worsen the situation instead of moving it forward,” she added.
According to recommendations placed in Parliament, 20 out of 133 ordinances issued by the immediate past interim government are set to lose effectiveness after the committee advised against tabling them.
Under Article 93 of the Constitution, an ordinance must be approved within 30 days of being placed in Parliament, or it automatically lapses.
Based on this provision, 16 ordinances are expected to expire after 12 April.
The committee also recommended repealing several key ordinances, including those on Supreme Court judge appointments, the Supreme Court Secretariat Ordinance 2025 and its 2026 amendment, and the National Parliament Secretariat (Interim Special Provisions) Ordinance 2024.
Four ordinances are proposed to be replaced by bills validating past actions before repeal.
The 14-member committee, formed on 12 March during the first sitting of the new Parliament, reviewed all ordinances with participation from both treasury and opposition members.
Its report was presented by committee chairman Zainul Abedin in the House, presided over by Speaker Hafiz Uddin.
The report recommends passing 98 ordinances unchanged and introducing 15 as amended bills.
Of the remaining 20, 16 are suggested for further review and strengthening before reintroduction.
Opposition MPs have filed notes of dissent over the lapse of 11 of these ordinances.
Key ordinances facing lapse include those on referendums, enforced disappearance, the National Human Rights Commission, the Anti-Corruption Commission amendment, revenue policy and management, microfinance banking, and the Right to Information amendment.
The referendum ordinance was introduced to implement the July National Charter.
The Anti-Corruption Commission amendment proposed expanding investigative powers, including jurisdiction over crimes committed abroad, and increasing the number of commission members.
The revenue ordinance sought to separate policy from administration, triggering protests among officials.
The enforced disappearance ordinance defined the offence as continuing and included provisions for victim support, rehabilitation, and compensation.
However, the government proposed requiring prior approval to investigate security forces and excluding national security detentions, a position opposed by the opposition.
Some ordinances, including those proposing a Supreme Judicial Appointment Council and a separate secretariat to ensure judicial independence, have also drawn objections from opposition members, who described them as critical reforms.
Senior Supreme Court lawyer and constitutional expert Shahdeen Malik said the delay may reflect the need for further scrutiny.
“It appears they are taking time to examine the ordinance. Even if it is not passed in this session, a more refined law could be introduced later,” he said.
“However, the law must be enacted within the next two months. Otherwise, the rule of law will face serious risks,” he added.
He warned that past political influence on the judiciary could return if reforms are not institutionalised.
“The judiciary has suffered from politicisation in the past. That risk could return if these measures are not converted into law,” he said.
The committee also recommended amendments to 15 ordinances covering women and child repression, anti-terrorism, the Code of Criminal Procedure, labour law, police commission, telecommunications regulation, and human trafficking prevention.
