Jamaat opposes repeal

The opposition party Jamaat-e-Islami on Wednesday claimed that a proposal from the ruling party to repeal the referendum ordinance has delayed a final decision by the special parliamentary committee reviewing 133 ordinances issued during the interim government.

A Jamaat MP and committee member said differences over the referendum ordinance prevented consensus during Wednesday’s meeting.

Opposition whip Rafiqul Islam Khan told reporters at the Jatiya Sangsad gate that the matter will be revisited at the committee’s next session on Sunday, March 29.

Khan noted that both sides had reached agreement on placing around 115 ordinances before Parliament, but disagreements remain over 18 ordinances, including those concerning the referendum, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), enforced disappearance prevention, and human rights.

He criticised the ruling side’s proposal to abolish the referendum provision, saying it undermines the spirit of the July Uprising. “If the referendum is denied, the very spirit of the July movement ceases to exist,” he said.

Khan also expressed concern over proposed amendments to the ACC, which would remove the current system of appointing the ACC chairman through a search committee, giving the government unilateral authority.

He warned that similar changes to the appointments of the Police Commissioner and Inspector General of Police would prioritise government preference over professionalism.

“The opposition will not accept provisions that compromise accountability, reform, or public interest,” he said, stressing that attempts to weaken institutions addressing enforced disappearances and human rights would face strong public opposition.

Khan added that while the legality of any law should ultimately be determined by the courts, the opposition opposes unilateral efforts to repeal existing legislation. The committee is expected to submit its final report by 2 October.