The interim government led by Muhammad Yunus issued 133 ordinances during its 18-month tenure, setting a new record for rapid lawmaking in Bangladesh. On average, this equals around 88 ordinances per year, about 132 percent higher than the usual rate of legislation passed through parliament.
Observers say the country witnessed lawmaking at what could be described as “supersonic speed”, surpassing the pace seen during the emergency administration led by Fakhruddin Ahmed nearly two decades ago.
The pace accelerated sharply toward the end of the interim administration. Thirty-six ordinances were issued in just 47 days, meaning that—excluding weekends—there were instances when at least one ordinance was issued every working day. In total, 80 ordinances were promulgated in 2025, while only 19 laws were enacted in the first five months after the interim government took office on August 8, 2024.
The ordinances introduced several new laws and amended many existing ones. Yunus has argued that the measures were part of “institutional reforms rooted in the spirit of the July coup.”
In his farewell address to the nation on February 16, Yunus highlighted his administration’s “supersonic speed in lawmaking” as a major achievement. He said the interim government had enacted around 130 laws and amendments—although a note from the Law Ministry puts the number at 133—and issued about 600 executive orders.
According to the state-run Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, roughly 84 percent of those executive orders have already been implemented.
“These reforms have consolidated civil rights, strengthened the judiciary and ensured that the culture of disappearances, murder and extrajudicial killings does not return,” Yunus said.
Despite these claims, critics say the government’s legislative record remains controversial. Questions have been raised about the legality, transparency and public-interest implications of several ordinances, with some observers alleging that certain measures could undermine national interests.
All 133 ordinances must now be placed before the new parliament. Once introduced in the first session, they will remain valid for 30 days unless repealed earlier through another ordinance. If parliament does not act within that period, the ordinances will automatically lapse.
Parliament cannot directly ratify an ordinance, but it can reject or disapprove it through a motion before the 30-day deadline. As a result, the fate of these laws remains uncertain.
The 13th National Parliament convenes today, and reviewing such a large number of measures within a short period will be a formidable challenge. Senior lawyer Shahdeen Malik noted that issuing so many ordinances in such a short span meant each measure effectively received less than five days of consideration on average.
According to Malik, any ordinance that does not receive legal backing within 30 days of parliament’s sitting will automatically become void.
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party government has said it is reviewing the ordinances issued by the interim administration, but it has not yet clarified which or how many will ultimately be endorsed by parliament.
Among the most controversial measures is the “Land Use Control and Agricultural Land Protection Ordinance, 2026.” Issued on January 19 shortly before the elections, the ordinance has drawn criticism from experts and analysts.
Sources say former legal affairs adviser Asif Nazrul and environment adviser Rizwana Hasan were involved in drafting the law. Critics have described it as anti-farmer and potentially harmful to planning and development, alleging that it may serve the interests of particular groups.
Under the ordinance, changing land zoning without permission can result in up to six months’ imprisonment or a fine of up to Tk100,000, or both. Using agricultural land for non-agricultural purposes without approval may lead to up to one year in prison or a fine of Tk200,000.
The law also sets penalties for constructing commercial housing, resorts, factories or industrial facilities on agricultural land, reservoirs or wetlands. Violators may face up to two years’ imprisonment or a fine of Tk400,000.
Additionally, extracting or transporting topsoil, hill soil or soil from water-body banks, including for brick kilns, could result in up to two years’ imprisonment or a fine of Tk500,000.
Damage to land within special agricultural zones or converting it for non-agricultural use may carry up to three years’ imprisonment or fines of up to Tk1 million, along with compensation and corrective measures.
Supporters say the ordinance aims to protect agricultural land and environmentally sensitive areas, but critics warn that its broad provisions and strict penalties could create bureaucratic hurdles for farmers, landowners and developers.
Given the speed, scale and controversy surrounding these ordinances, many observers argue that the new parliament must undertake a careful and transparent review to ensure that any laws ultimately retained truly serve the public interest and long-term development of Bangladesh.
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
