Anti-Terrorism Act: provision to ban 'activities of entities’ approved

The interim government has given both in-principle and final approval to the draft Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025, which includes a new provision to ban the activities of individuals or “entities” engaged in terrorism.

The draft ordinance was approved at a meeting of the Advisory Council, chaired by interim head of government Muhammad Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna on Sunday, according to a statement from the Chief Advisor’s Office.

Originally passed in 2009, the Anti-Terrorism Act lacked explicit provisions to prohibit the operations of terrorist-linked organisations.

The amendment now allows authorities to list any individual or entity involved in terrorism via a government gazette notification and to ban its activities.

The statement highlighted that the revised law will also curb terrorist propaganda on digital platforms.

“In this context, the Anti-Terrorism Act has been amended to include provisions for banning the activities of entities, adapting enforcement measures, and prohibiting the dissemination of propaganda online and via social media.”

The ordinance is expected to be formally issued on Monday.

The army-backed caretaker government first introduced the Anti-Terrorism Ordinance in 2008 during a state of emergency.

It was later passed in parliament by the Awami League government in 2009.

During its 15-year tenure, the Awami League government banned a total of 10 militant groups under this law.

Jamaat-e-Islami became the first political party to be banned under the Act on Aug 1 last year.

On the same day, its student wing Islami Chhatra Shibir was also designated a “terrorist entity” by executive order for its alleged involvement in violence and sabotage during the quota reform movement.