Dhaka: The National Consensus Commission is holding dialogue today with the country's political parties for the ninth day of the second phase aiming to reach consensus on various issues of state reform and preparing the 'July Charter'. The meeting began at the Foreign Service Academy in the capital at 11 am with Commission Vice-Chairman Prof Dr Ali Riaz in the chair. Commission members Justice Emdadul Haque, Dr Badiul Alam Majumder, Dr Md Ayub Mia, Dr Iftekharuzzaman, and Safar Raj Hossain and Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser Monir Haider were present. Representatives of 30 political parties, including Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Jatiya Nagorik Party (NCP), Gono Odhikar Parishad, Gana Sanghati, Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB), Biplobi Workers Party, Amar Bangladesh (AB) Party, are participating in today's dialogue.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, three issues - decentralisation of the judiciary, presidential clemency, and declaration of a state of emergency - are expected to be discussed in today's meeting apart from further discussing unresolved issues. In his opening speech at the meeting, Vice-Chairman Prof Dr Ali Riaz emphasized the importance of remembering the historical circumstances and sacrifices leading to the current stage of dialogue. He highlighted the significant sacrifices made by many and urged that these sacrifices should guide the current efforts.
Prof Ali Riaz further remarked on the unprecedented opportunity for state reform that has arisen after 53 years. He noted that this opportunity has come through numerous injustices and repressions, and stressed that it should not be carelessly wasted. Earlier, during the eighth meeting of the commission, Prof Ali Riaz expressed optimism about the positive progress of the talks, stating that if discussions continue in this manner, it will be possible to announce the July Charter by mid-July or the third week of this month.