Prof Ali Riaz
Dialogue success depends on unity of democratic forces: Ali Riaz
National Consensus Commission Vice Chairman Prof Ali Riaz on Tuesday said the success of the ongoing political dialogue depends on the unity of democratic forces in Bangladesh.
“The extent of our success depends on how united the democratic forces in Bangladesh can remain,” he said while delivering the opening speech during the dialogue between the National Consensus Commission and the Revolutionary Workers Party held at the LD Hall of the Jatiya Sangsad Complex.
Talking about the ongoing series of dialogues with political parties, Prof Riaz said there is a consensus on many issues. “We also see differences of opinion on various matters, which we aim to resolve through discussions. A democratic society is inherently pluralistic. We will not all speak the same language, but we share a common goal. That is where we are united, and we will continue to remain so.”
Only unity can lead to a new Bangladesh:Prof Ali Riaz
He said, “We want — and the people of the country want — that we do not miss this opportunity. It’s time to initiate the process of genuine state-building.”
A 10-member delegation of the Revolutionary Workers Party, led by its general secretary Saiful Haque, joined the talks with Prof Ali Riaz presiding.
Consensus Commission members Safar Raj Hossain, Dr Badiul Alam Majumdar and Dr Iftekharuzzaman were present at the discussion, moderated by Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant Monir Haider.
1 day ago
Ganosamhati Andolon joins talks with Consensus Commission
Ganasamhati Andolon joined talks with the National Consensus Commission on Sunday morning.
The discussion began at 10:15 am with National Consensus Commission Vice-Chairman Prof Ali Riaz in the chair.
A 10-member delegation of Ganasamhati Andolon, led by its Chief Coordinator Zonayed Saki, participated in the discussion at the LD Hall of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban.
Consensus Commission members Safar Raj Hossain, Justice Emdadul Haque, Dr Badiul Alam Majumdar and Dr Iftekharuzzaman were present at the discussion moderated by Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant Monir Haider.
On March 20 last, the Consensus Commission opened a series of talks with political parties to forge a national consensus on state reform initiatives.
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The commission has already held talks with 17 political parties, including BNP, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and National Citizen Party (NCP).
Formed on February 15, 2025, under the leadership of Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, the Commission was tasked with shaping a unified national stance on critical reforms.
3 days ago
BNP backs reform efforts, says Salahuddin
BNP Standing Committee Member Salahuddin Ahmed on Sunday said his party is extending sincere cooperation to the reform initiatives undertaken by the interim government.
“We are cooperating with the reform initiatives with transparency, sincerity and seriousness in all matters,” he said ahead of the second day of talks between the BNP and the National Consensus Commission at the LD Hall of the Jatiya Sangsad Complex.
A five-member BNP delegation, led by Standing Committee Member Nazrul Islam Khan, joined the talks that began at 11:00am with National Consensus Commission Vice-Chairman Prof Ali Riaz in the chair.
BNP joins 2nd day talks with Consensus Commission
The BNP delegation also included Chairperson’s Advisory Council Member Ismail Jabiullah, former secretary Abu Mohammad Moniruzzaman and former Supreme Court Bar Association General Secretary Barrister Ruhul Kuddus Kajol.
Earlier on Thursday, the BNP participated in the opening round of discussions held from 10:35am to 4:45pm.
The National Consensus Commission launched its dialogue process with political parties on March 20, aiming to build a unified position on key reform proposals initiated by the interim government. So far, it has held talks with 13 political parties.
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Formed on February 15, 2025, under the leadership of Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, the Commission is tasked with shaping a shared national stance on critical reforms.
10 days ago
BNP delegation joins talks with Consensus Commission
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) joined the ongoing dialogue with the National Consensus Commission on Thursday morning.
The Commission is holding a series of talks with political parties to forge a national consensus on state reform initiatives undertaken by the interim government.
A BNP delegation participated in the session that began at 10:35am at the LD Hall of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban.
The discussion is going on with National Consensus Commission Vice-Chairman Prof Ali Riaz in the chair.
BNP Standing Committee members Salahuddin Ahmed and Nazrul Islam Khan were among those representing the party.
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Earlier, on April 16, a BNP delegation led by Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir met Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus and voiced dissatisfaction over the meeting's outcome, particularly the absence of a specific election timeline.
“We are not happy at all. We clearly stated that if the election is not held by December, the country’s political and social situation will worsen and become increasingly difficult to manage,” Mirza Fakhrul told reporters after the meeting.
The National Consensus Commission began its dialogue process with political parties on March 20, aiming to build a shared position on key reform proposals initiated by the interim government.
So far, it has held talks with 11 political parties.
Formed on February 15, 2025, under the leadership of Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, the Commission is tasked with shaping a unified national stance on critical reforms. In its initial phase, it compiled key recommendations from five reform commissions — addressing constitutional, public administration, electoral, judicial, and anti-corruption reforms — and shared them with 39 political parties for feedback.
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To date, 34 parties have responded.
The Commission aims to complete its first round of talks with political parties by the first week of May, begin a second round in the second week of May, and reach a national consensus by mid-July.
13 days ago
New charter to fulfill public aspiration for reform: Prof Ali Riaz
Vice-Chairman of the National Consensus Commission Prof Ali Riaz said on Tuesday that the public aspiration for state reform could be fulfilled through the preparation of a new national charter.
“The new national charter will fulfill the reform aspirations of people,” he said while addressing a dialogue between the commission and Nationalist Democratic Movement (NDM).
An eight-member NDM delegation, led by its Chairman Bobby Hajjaj, joined the talks chaired by Prof Ali Riaz at the LD hall of the Jatiya Sangsad complex.
Noting that the goal of the commission and political parties is one, Prof Riaz said, “We all are trying to formulate a national charter by finding a specific path for state reform."
He said there may be further differences of opinion on the way to destination, but those can be overcome through negotiations. “We can continue to uphold and further strengthen the unity that enabled us to defeat the fascist regime," said Prof Riaz.
Later, the commission held two separate discussions with two more political parties with the Bangladesh Biplobi Communist League and Ganatantrik Biplobi Party there.
Biplobi Communist League general secretary Iqbal Karim Jahid led his party team during the talks, while Ganatantrik Biplobi Party general secretary Moshrefa Mishu led her party delegation in the discussion.
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During the discussions, Prof Riaz said the tenure of the consensus commission will expire on July 15 next. “We want to create a national charter in the shortest possible time, which depends on the cooperation of political parties. So far, we have received unprecedented, unimaginable and incredible cooperation from the political parties,” he said.
The National Consensus Commission, formed under the leadership of Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, aims to establish a unified stance on critical reforms. Since its inception on February 15, 2025, the commission has been working to finalize recommendations for the state reform proposals.
In the initial phase, key recommendations from five reform commissions — covering constitutional, public administration, electoral system, judiciary, and anti-corruption reforms — were compiled and shared with 39 political parties for their feedbacks. To date, 34 parties have responded.
On March 20 last, the Consensus Commission opened the dialogue and already held talks with 11 political parties.
The next dialogue will be held with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on April 17.
15 days ago
Jatiya Oaikymoto Commission formed, Prof Yunus to lead
A seven-member ‘Jatiya Oaikymoto Commission’ headed by Prof Muhammad Yunus has been formed to consider and adopt the recommendations submitted by six commissions.
A notification in this regard was issued by the Cabinet Division on Thursday.
The commission’s other members are Constitutional Reform Commission chief Prof Ali Riaz, Public Administration Reform Commission chief Abdul Muyeed Chowdhury, Police Reform Commission chief Safar Raj Hossain, Election Reform Commission chief Badiul Alam Majumder, Judiciary Reform Commission chief Justice Emdadul Haque and Anti-Corruption Reform Commission chief Dr Iftekharuzzaman.
The newly formed commission will start functioning from February 15 and its tenure has been fixed for next six months.
Election Commission formed with Nasir Uddin as CEC
The commission will hold discussions with political parties and forces to form a national consensus to consider and accept the recommendations of the commissions formed for reforms in the election system, public administration, judiciary and anti-corruption, including police activities.
The commission will recommend steps in this regard later.
The office of the Chief Adviser will perform the secretarial duties of this commission while the office of the commission will be fixed by the government, reads the notification.
2 months ago
Constitutional Reform Commission exchanges views with civil society members
The Constitutional Reform Commission on Wednesday exchanged views with the members of civil society and different organisations.
As part of the ongoing series of talks with different stakeholders, the views-exchange meeting was held at the Cabinet Room of Jatiya Sangsad.
Justice Imman Ali, Raja Devasish Roy and Prof Rabiul Islam placed their recommendations over the constitutional reform at the event chaired by chairman of the reform commission Prof Ali Riaz.
Besides, a total of 16 representatives raised different proposals from their respective organisations over the constitutional reform.
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The representatives who came from different organisations included Roman Uddin and Apan Zahir of the Center for Governance Studies (CGS), Akhtar Hossain Khan of the Newspaper Owners Association of Bangladesh (NOAB), Prof Mirza Taslima and Prof Kazi Maruful Islam of the University Teachers Network, Sanjida Islam Tuli and Mosfiqur Rahman Johan of Mayer Daak and Md Junaid and Millat Hossain of the Bangladesh Judicial Service Association.
The other representatives are Tamanna Singh Baraik and Puja Rani of the Dalit Women Forum, Nadira Parveen and Sultan Md Salauddin Siddique of the Nagorik Uddyog, Joya Sikder and Sudip Kumar Das of the Sampurna, and Najma Akhter of the Sammilit Garments Sramik Federation.
Commission members Prof Sumaiya Khair, Barrister Imran Siddique, Prof Muhammad Ekramul Haque, Barrister M Moin Alam Ferozi, Firoz Ahmed and Mustain Billah were present at the meeting.
5 months ago