Consensus Commission begins discussing reform proposals with political parties Saturday

The first round of reform talks is scheduled for 3pm on Saturday

The National Consensus Commission is set to hold talks with political parties regarding the recommendations from commissions formed to drive state reform initiatives.

The dialogue will take place at 3pm on Saturday at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka, the chief advisor’s press wing said in a statement.

Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus, who also chairs the Consensus Commission, will preside over the discussions.

Invitations have already been extended to political parties.

The session will focus on the full reports of six reform commissions, as earlier confirmed by the Chief Advisor’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam.

At a press conference on Monday, he said: “The reports submitted by the reform commissions will be discussed with each political party in dialogue with the National Consensus Commission.”

A statement on Wednesday announced the formation of the seven-strong Consensus Commission, with Ali Riaz, head of the Constitutional Reform Commission, serving as vice-chairman.

The commission members include Public Administration Reform Commission chief Abdul Muyeed Chowdhury, Police Reform Commission chief Safar Raj Hossain, Electoral Reform Commission chief Badiul Alam Majumdar, Judiciary Reform Commission chief Md Emdadul Haque, and Anti-Corruption Commission Reform Commission chief Iftekharuzzaman.

According to the statement, the commission will hold discussions with political parties and forces to form a national consensus and review the recommendations made by the panels.

The commission is set to begin its work on Saturday and will operate for six months. Administrative support will be provided by the Chief Advisor’s Office.