The government has plans to review and update outdated laws inherited from the British colonial and Pakistan periods to make them suitable for present-day Bangladesh, Law Minister Md. Asaduzzaman told Parliament on Thursday.

Responding to a scripted question from BNP lawmaker elected from Naogaon-3 Md. Fazle Huda, the minister said that following the independence of Bangladesh, the government enacted The Bangladesh Laws (Revision and Declaration) Act, 1973 to establish a coherent legal framework in the newly formed state.

He said the law provided for a comprehensive review, amendment and repeal of all laws, presidential orders and legislative instruments applicable in Bangladesh since March 26, 1971.

“Through this process, laws that were irrelevant or inapplicable to the context of Bangladesh were repealed, while some were declared not to be part of the country’s legal system,” he added.

The minister further said that laws requiring changes have been amended from time to time to keep them up to date.

At the same time, new laws have been enacted to address emerging realities and needs, he said.

However, Md. Asaduzzaman acknowledged that a number of laws dating back to the British and Pakistan eras have become obsolete or ineffective over time.

The government will identify such laws and, upon consultation with relevant stakeholders, take steps to amend or newly enact them in phases.” he said.

He added that the Law Commission is currently working on the matter and the government will take necessary measures after receiving its recommendations.