National Charter will be released within July, says Ali Riaz

He says they hope political parties can chart a course of action

The National Consensus Commission Vice-Chair Ali Riaz has said they will begin a second round of discussions with political parties in early June and create a National Charter within July.

Speaking at a media briefing at the LD hall of parliament complex on Monday, he said the commission is tasked with building consensus on key reforms through discussions with political parties and relevant stakeholders, and with formulating a National Charter.

He said, “We hope to create a National Charter by July through a second round of talks with political parties.

“If there is a consensus on some issues that require reform, a July Charter can be made, then the matter of its implementation process will arise.

“Since the political parties have supported the reform proposal and expressed their commitment, we believe they’ll be able to determine a course of action.”

He said, “After the Aug 5 mass uprising, a historic opportunity has arisen before us to reorganise our society, state, and laws.

“By implementing some far-reaching reforms aimed at establishing our voting rights and a sustainable democratic system, it will be possible for us to acknowledge the contribution of the brave soldiers of the July uprising.”

Following the Awami League government’s fall in the face of a student-led mass uprising on Aug 5, 2024, the interim government formed six reform commissions in October.

These panels then presented their recommendations to the government in February.

On Feb 12, the government brought together the chiefs from constitutional, electoral, judicial, Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), police, and public administration reforms to form the National Consensus Commission to drive state reform initiatives, bring the nation to an agreement through dialogues and formulate the National Charter.

It began work from Feb 15 aiming to reach its goals in six months.

On Feb 28, the commission sent out the recommendations from the six commissions to all the political parties before forwarding a spreadsheet containing reform suggestions from five reform panels on Mar 5 to 38 parties and alliances, seeking their opinions.

The commission asked the parties to respond within Mar 15 but some sought an extension of the deadline.

Later, 35 political parties and alliances responded as some filled in the spreadsheet with analysis along with opinions and comments.

Since Mar 20, the Consensus Commission has carried out 45 dialogues with political parties and alliances.