The National Consensus Commission on Thursday invited BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia and Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman to the signing ceremony of the 'National July Charter 2025'.

Commission members Dr Badiul Alam Majumdar and journalist Monir Hayder, who is also a Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser, handed over the invitation cards, said BNP Media Cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan.

He said the commission members went to Evercare Hospital around 8pm with the invitation cards, where Khaleda was admitted early Thursday for health check-ups.

The commission members also met the BNP chief in her cabin and spoke to her in the presence of BNP Standing Committee Member Dr AZM Zahid Hossain.

On behalf of Tarique Rahman, Khaleda’s personal assistant Abdus Sattar received the invitation card.

Talking to reporters after meeting Khaleda in her hospital cabin, Dr Badiul Alam Majumdar, “We came on behalf of the Chief Adviser and Chairman of the National Consensus Commission Professor Muhammad Yunus to hand over the invitation for Tomorrow’s (Friday’s) National July Charter signing ceremony to former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia and to convey the Chief Adviser’s greetings.”

“We all wish her a quick recovery and good health,” he added.

Dr Majumdar said Khaleda Zia also sent her greetings to Professor Yunus and wished success for Friday’s event.

When asked about her reaction to the July Charter, he said, “We didn’t have a long discussion, but from what we saw and what she said, she seemed very pleased and welcomed the initiative.”

He said she believed the Charter will be an important milestone for Bangladesh and would play a key role in building a bright future for the country.

The much-anticipated signing ceremony of the National July Charter 2025 will be held at 4pm on Friday (October 17) at the South Plaza of the National Parliament.

Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus, who chairs the National Consensus Commission, is expected to attend the event along with several advisers and senior government officials.

Meanwhile, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday said people will know on Friday whether BNP will sign the July Charter or not.

“You will know tomorrow if BNP will sign it or not. Don’t be so impatient — wait a little; a bit of tension is good,” Fakhrul said while addressing a public rally in Thakurgaon.

He said BNP will sign the charter only if its notes of dissent are included.

The BNP leader also said their party has accepted the idea of a referendum but insisted it must be held on the same day as the national election.