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Published : 05 Jun 2025, 03:05 AM
In the face of sustained protests by public servants, the interim government has formed a high-level committee to review the controversial Government Service (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025.
Law Advisor Asif Nazrul will lead the three-strong committee, which includes Power and Energy Advisor Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan and Cabinet Secretary Sheikh Abdur Rashid as members.
The Cabinet Division issued a notification on Wednesday confirming the development.
The panel has been tasked with reviewing the ongoing situation arising from the ordinance and holding discussions with protesting organisations before submitting swift recommendations.
To assist with administrative matters, three secretaries have been assigned: the land secretary, the housing and public works secretary, and the secretary of the Statistics and Informatics Division.
The committee can induct additional members if required, according to the statement.
Earlier, on May 24, government employees began an indefinite protest at the Secretariat, demanding the withdrawal of the newly issued ordinance.
Amid growing pressure, secretaries from key ministries, including land and housing, sat with protest representatives on May 28.
It was decided at that meeting that all secretaries would brief the cabinet secretary about the situation at 10am on Wednesday.
Protesters were assured a decision from the government would follow, leading them to suspend their demonstration for the day.
They, however, later announced that daily one-hour work stoppages would continue from 10am to 11am until the ordinance was repealed.
On May 22, the Advisory Council approved the proposal to amend the Public Service Act through an ordinance.
Protests erupted two days later across the Secretariat.
Despite objections, the ordinance received presidential assent and was officially issued on the night of May 25.
The new amendment adds a clause “37Ka” to the existing law.
Under this provision, if an official is found responsible after receiving two seven-day notices, disciplinary action may be taken.
