Home minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Saturday tabled the Narcotics Control (Amendment) Bill, 2026 in Jatiya Sangsad, aimed at strengthening narcotics control through introducing specialised tribunals to ensure the speedy trial of drug-related offences.
The bill was tabled in the parliament during a sitting chaired by deputy speaker Kaysar Kamal.
According to the statement of objects and reasons, the judiciary is facing increasing pressured with the rise in drug addiction and related crimes, causing delays in the disposal of cases.
To address the situation, the bill has proposed the creation of separate Narcotics Crime Control Tribunals in crime-prone areas to ensure quicker trial proceedings.
The bill also includes provisions to combat cyber-based narcotics offences using technology-driven enforcement measures.
It has further proposed stronger border anti-smuggling operations, expanded authority for the Department of Narcotics Control, and the introduction of firearms authorisation and dog squads to enhance detection and enforcement capacity.
The draft legislation earlier received approval in principle from the Cabinet on June 18.
Following its introduction in JS, the bill was sent to the relevant parliamentary standing committee for further scrutiny.
Meanwhile, posts, telecommunications and information technology minister Faqir Mahbub Anam also placed the Cyber Security (Amendment) Bill, 2026 in the parliament, proposing the repeal of Section 20 of the existing Cyber Security Act.
Repeal of Section 20 of the current law that criminalises gambling activities in cyberspace has been proposed, as the government is working for enacting a separate gambling prevention act.
Lawmakers said that work was going on regarding a separate and detailed Gambling Prevention Act, 2026, initiated by the home ministry to address gambling and betting offences more comprehensively.
The speaker referred both the Cyber Security (Amendment) Bill and Gambling Prevention Bill to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs for further review.
