Advisers clear draft amendment to foreign donations law

The Council of Advisers on Saturday approved in principle the draft of the Foreign Donations (Voluntary Activities) Regulation (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025, noting that the updated law has been made more stakeholder-friendly.

The approval came during a special meeting of the Council held at the Chief Adviser’s Office, held with Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus in the chair.

At the meeting, prayers and doa were offered for the speedy recovery of former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia.

Religious Adviser AFM Khalid Hossain conducted the monajat.

Several sections of the existing Foreign Donations Act have been amended, and the rules for NGO registration have been simplified, said the Chief Adviser’s press wing.

Conditions for the release of foreign donations have also been eased.

Under the proposed amendment, approval will no longer be required for foreign donations of up to Tk 50 lakh per year.

The draft of the Police Commission Ordinance, 2025 was also placed before the meeting. The Council instructed that the draft be presented in greater detail and in a revised form at the next session.

Meanwhile, Expatriate Welfare Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul briefed the Council on the imminent release of the remaining 24 Bangladeshi nationals who had been jailed at various times in the United Arab Emirates on charges related to their participation in the July uprising.

He said they are expected to return home within two to three days.