Experts approved referendum on National Charter's implementation, says Ali Riaz

He says the agreement over holding a referendum was reached “in the previous four meetings”

Ali Riaz, vice-chairman of the National Consensus Commission, has said the commission received “expert opinions” on issuing an ordinance for holding a referendum on the implementation of the National Charter, also known as the July Charter.

The fifth day of the third phase of discussions was held on Wednesday.

Riaz said the agreement over holding a referendum was reached “in the previous four meetings”.

He added, “We are now working to reach a consensus on the structure and timing of this referendum.”

Riaz also said the commission has held multiple meetings with experts on the referendum, and they have “unanimously agreed” that an ordinance must be issued to organise the referendum as part of the Charter’s implementation.

The National Consensus Commission has already finalised a draft of the Charter, incorporating proposals on state reforms that political parties have agreed on, along with a pledge for its implementation.

Differences, however, persist among the political parties over the process of implementation.

While parties like the BNP have called for the Charter’s implementation through an elected parliament, the Jamaat-e-Islami and some allies insist on implementing it before the elections.

This disagreement has led to a deadlock, prompting Jamaat and like-minded parties to propose a referendum. Initially opposed to the idea, the BNP and its allies have since softened their stance.