The opposition leader Dr Shafiqur Rahman has urged the speaker to allow a detailed discussion in parliament over 133 ordinances, arguing that those proposed to lapse are crucial and linked to the “July Spirit.”

He made the request on Sunday (April 5), before the start of the second item on the agenda at National Parliament’s first session, saying a special committee had previously been formed to examine the ordinances and that the committee’s report had been approved by the Speaker.

Dr Shafiqur Rahman, who is also the Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami and opposition figure in parliament, said the report includes proposals to let certain ordinances lapse.

He said the opposition noticed, after comparing with earlier notices, that the ordinances targeted for lapse are highly important and related to the “July Spirit,” adding that MPs should be given a chance to debate them.

According to the opposition leader, the day’s proceedings included a supplementary agenda paper listing two bills.

He suggested the bills may have been introduced in connection with the ordinances, and called for parliament to formally take up the ordinances that are on the lapse list for discussion.

Responding, the Law Minister initially told parliament that the two bills discussed by the opposition leader were not derived from ordinances. He said they were new bills sent by the relevant ministries and were not part of the 133 ordinances.

He also said what the opposition referenced as “lapse” involved some provisions being kept, adding that they would be brought forward in bill form later for further scrutiny.

Following the Asr prayer break, the Law Minister again drew the Speaker’s attention and corrected his earlier statement. He said the two laws mentioned by the opposition leader were in fact included among the 133 ordinances.

He said each ordinance would be tabled in parliament, with opportunities for debate during the first and second readings. The minister also noted that a special committee had supported the unconditional passage of the two ordinances already presented in bill form.

Earlier, the Speaker highlighted that parliament needed to pass about 93 bills by the 9th of the month, and said discussions would be addressed subsequently.