Cabinet approves draft law to replace RAB with Special Response Battalion

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The Cabinet on Monday approved the draft of the *Special Response Battalion (SRB) Act, 2026, paving the way for the dissolution of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and the establishment of a specialised unit under the police force.

The approval was given at the 17th Cabinet meeting held at the Secretariat on Monday. A press release issued by the Cabinet Division later confirmed the development.

According to the draft law, the existing RAB will be dissolved and replaced by the Special Response Battalion (SRB), which will operate under the police force as a specialised unit.

The draft also proposes the formation of a multi-party grievance redress committee to address complaints from citizens as well as internal grievances raised by members of the unit.

The Cabinet Division said provisions have been included for transferring RAB’s personnel, orders, powers, authority, facilities, funds, property, accounts, records and other related assets to the SRB.

Until new rules are framed under the proposed law, the existing rules governing RAB-related departmental proceedings will remain in force with necessary adaptations, according to the Cabinet Division.

The draft law was given final approval subject to vetting by the Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division.