RAB set to be renamed as SRB as bill introduced in parliament

A bill titled the “Special Response Battalion (SRB) Act, 2026” has been introduced in Parliament, proposing the abolition of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and the formation of a new specialized unit under the police called the Special Response Battalion (SRB).

On Thursday (September 3), Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed introduced the bill on the fourth day of the third session of the 13th national parliament. The session was chaired by Acting Speaker Barrister Kaiser Kamal.

After being introduced, the bill was sent to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Home Affairs for scrutiny. The committee was asked to examine the bill and return it to Parliament within the next two working days.

The bill states that a modern, professional, skilled and accountable specialized unit is necessary to protect public security, combat terrorism and organized crime, and assist the police force. It also emphasizes ensuring transparency, oversight and effective accountability in the exercise of the unit’s powers.

-MT