The cabinet on Thursday approved Information and Communication Technology (ICT) amendment Act, 2009 and proposal for ratification of the new charter of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC).

The approval was given at its regular meeting held at the cabinet room at Bangladesh Secretariat with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair.

Briefing to the reporters, Prime Minister’s Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad said the ICT act has been amended for legalising the ICT, safety of the computer network system, making it universal, and using in preventing crimes, preservation and dissemination of information.

Describing the new OIC charter, the press secretary said the original charter was adopted in 1972 and Bangladesh got OIC membership in 1974. The original charter of OIC has been changed making it time befitting considering the reality of the current world, he said.

Azad said, 28 member countries out of total 57 members of the OIC, signed the new charter and six countries including Malaysia ratified the charter.

He said the next Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers (ICFM) of the OIC would be held in Damascus, Syria on May 23-25 next.

At the beginning of the meeting, the press secretary said, the Prime Minister exchanged new years greetings with her cabinet colleagues, saying the security measures on the first day of Bangla New Year were excellent.

She thanked the countrymen for celebrating the New Year in a disciplined way and also thanked the members of the law enforcing agencies for ensuring safety and security across the country.

To celebrate the next year’s Bangla New Year, the Prime Minister said, special bus services would be introduced so that the people could take part in the festivity with enthusiasm.

Members of the council of ministers, advisers to the Prime Minister, state ministers attended the meeting.

Among others, concerned secretaries including Cabinet Secretary and Prime Minister’s Press Secretary were present.