The Advisory Council has approved amendments to the Anti-Terrorism Act, clearing the way to prohibit any media publication in support of the Awami League, whose activities are expected to be formally banned on Monday.
Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Mahmud announced via Facebook that the council, headed by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, on Sunday given both in-principle and final approval to the Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Ordinance 2025.
The amendment introduces new provisions to ban individuals or entities found to be involved in terrorist activities.
The amendment also prohibits the publication or dissemination of press statements on behalf of, or in support of, the Awami League across print, broadcast, online, or social media platforms, he added.
The adviser also mentioned that public demonstrations, including rallies, meetings, press conferences, or speeches in favour of the party, will likewise be banned.
A statement from the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing confirmed that the draft ordinance includes specific clauses enabling bans on listed or prohibited individuals and entities—provisions previously absent from the Anti-Terrorism Act 2009.
The changes aim to make the law more relevant to evolving security and governance needs, it added.
The revised law empowers the government to list any person or organisation involved in terrorist activities in the schedule of the Act through a gazette notification. Once listed, all related activities become illegal. The amendment further introduces restrictions on using digital and social media platforms to campaign for or promote banned groups.
The ordinance is expected to be formally promulgated on Monday, alongside the official banning order targeting the Awami League.
This development follows recent amendments to the International Crimes (Tribunals) Act 1973, granting the tribunal authority to try the Awami League on charges of genocide and crimes against humanity. Weeks of public protests demanding a ban on the party have pushed the interim government to act swiftly.
Final approval of the ordinance came during an emergency meeting of the Advisory Council at the chief adviser’s official residence Jamuna with him in the chair.
According to the meeting summary, the original Act was enacted to prevent terrorism, ensure effective punishment for terrorist offences, and regulate related matters. The latest amendment expands its scope by explicitly allowing the banning of organisational activities and placing controls on digital content promoting terrorism.
With the ordinance set for imminent enactment, the government is poised to implement its updated counterterrorism framework, with the Awami League becoming the first political entity to be formally banned under the revised law.