Ali Riaz urges political parties to show flexibility on reforms
National Consensus Commission Vice Chairman Prof Ali Riaz on Wednesday urged political parties to show flexibility on reform issues for the sake of the country and the nation in a bid to achieve the desired goal.
“Please consider how we can all move forward, keeping the interests of the state and the nation above everything else. I’ve said time and again that you all have to make compromises (their party positions) here,” he said.
Prof Riaz made the call in his introductory speech while presiding over the sixth day of the second-round talks of the National Consensus Commission in the capital.
The discussion began around 11am at the Foreign Service Academy.
Prof Riaz said progress has been achieved in some reform issues, while differences have been seen in some other issues during the discussion. “We must remember that we’ve come here (discussion table) through stepping over blood. We've come here in exchange for the sacrifice of many lives,” he said.
Noting that they have not come to the reform stage following a single day struggle, he said Bangladesh has arrived at this critical juncture after 16 years of continuous struggle, and a broader 53-year-long fight to establish democracy and an accountable state.
“I have full trust and belief that we will reach our desired goal -- the formulation of a National Charter,” said Prof Riaz.
Wednesday’s agenda includes discussions on the State's fundamental principles, the bicameral parliament (the electoral system for the upper house), formation of National Constitutional Council, the presidential election system and women representation in parliament.
Leaders from around 30 political parties, including BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami and the National Citizen Party-NCP participated in the day’s dialogue to present their respective party positions on the proposed reforms.
The session is being broadcast live by BTV News.
On June 02, Chief Adviser and Commission Chairman Prof Muhammad Yunus opened the second round of dialogues.
Formed on February 15, 2025, under the leadership of Chief Adviser Prof Yunus, the Commission was tasked with forging a unified national stance on crucial state reforms.
The Commission launched its first round of dialogues on March 20 to build national consensus on the reform initiatives undertaken by the interim government. It held talks with 33 political parties and alliances, including BNP, Jamaat, and NCP, before concluding the first round on May 19.
Following the dialogue, the National Consensus Commission will prepare and announce the July Charter (or reform charter) next month.