The Advisory Council has given in-principle and final approval to the draft Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025, which has provisions to prohibit the activities of individuals or entities involved in terrorist activities.
The approval came at an Advisory Council meeting at the State Guest House Jamuna on Sunday, under the chairmanship of Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus.
According to the meeting’s summary, the Anti-Terrorism Act, 2009, was enacted to prevent certain terrorist activities and make provisions for their effective punishment and related matters.
To fulfil the objectives of the act, the government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, on the basis of reasonable grounds that a person or entity is involved in terrorist activities, list that person in the schedule or declare the entity banned and list it in the schedule.
However, there is no provision in the current act regarding the banning of the activities of any entity.
The council decided that, since it is necessary to clarify that issue and add provisions, it is appropriate and necessary to amend the Anti-Terrorism Act, 2009, to make it timely.
The amendment may be issued in the form of an ordinance on Monday.
