The Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami on Monday slammed the government for its plan to let several reform-related ordinances lapse.

The Jamaat warned that the move could undermine governance, create legal chaos and complexity triggering political instability.

The party said that the move disregarded the entire reform process and the international community.

It urged the government to consult stakeholders, stressing that such national issues required broad political consensus.

Jamaat central leader and Supreme Court lawyer Mohammad Shishir Manir disclosed the party positions about the ordinances at a press briefing at the SC annex building, joined by fellow Jamaat lawyers Saifur Rahman and Parvez Hossain.

Referring to the fourth meeting of the special parliamentary committee reviewing 133 ordinances, Shishir said that some 74 ordinances werere likely to be passed, while others may be amended or reformulated.

However, he added, at least 12 key ordinances have been proposed to be dropped and three to be repealed.

The Jamaat said that this move could reverse political and institutional reforms introduced by the interim government during its 18-month tenure.

‘This is not just a legal issue. It is a political decision that may reverse reform progresses,’ he commented.

Shishir opposed the JS committee’s Sunday decision that proposed lapse of the Referendum Ordinance, 2025 being ‘ineffective’. 

The ordinance, he said, is linked to the July National Charter Implementation Order, the Election Commission-declared February 12 Jatiya Sangsad election schedule, and 30 broader reform proposals agreed by political parties, adding that removing it in isolation could disrupt the whole process.

He also criticised plans to repeal laws on enforced disappearance and the National Human Rights Commission, adding that these laws were meant to ensure accountability and protect citizens’ rights.

Altering the Supreme Court judges’ appointment process and changing the Supreme Court Secretariat ordinance could weaken judicial independence, he said.

He said that the judicial appointment ordinance was earlier challenged in the High Court but was upheld. Now calling it unconstitutional creates confusion, he said.

He warned that removing the current system without a clear alternative might bring back non-transparent practices in appointing judges.

Concerns were also raised over proposed changes to the Supreme Court Secretariat Ordinance.

He said that giving the government discretionary power might increase executive control over the judiciary.

The Jamaat also questioned the move to scrap the Bank Regulation Ordinance, warning that this could weaken efforts to tackle loan scams and money laundering.

‘This may create a perception that influential financial offenders are being protected,’ said Shishir.