United News of Bangladesh

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman on Wednesday (12th November 2025) urged political parties not to make the country’s situation volatile by imposing various conditions, but instead to face people in next year’s national election, rather than issuing threats to the ‘fragile’ interim government. Speaking virtually at a discussion, he also said it is up to the interim government to decide whether it will implement the aspirations of any particular political party or prioritise holding the February election to establish a government accountable to the people of the country. “As preparations are underway to establish a government accountable to the people through their direct votes and to restore citizens’ rights, we have observed that a few political parties seem to be positioning themselves against the restoration of the political rights of democracy-loving people, taking advantage of the weaknesses of the interim government,” he said. Tarique said many of BNP’s allies from the anti-fascist street movement are expressing doubts about the February election next year. “I would like to draw the attention of our allies present here today that, instead of issuing threats to the interim government, let us face the people in the upcoming February election. Let us all come forward and stand before the people,” he said. Read more: Tarique Rahman likely to return home by end of November: Salahuddin BNP arranged the discussion at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre to mark the ‘National Revolution and Solidarity Day’, commemorating the civil-military uprising on November 7, 1975, which marked 50 years. Senior leaders of different political parties, including Jamaat-e-Islami, addressed the programme and stressed the need to maintain unity among the anti-fascist political parties to ensure the restoration of democracy through the next national election, removing differences of opinion among them. Tarique Rahman warned that if any political party, seeing the interim government as weak, tries to get whatever it wants or uses tricks to deny the BNP a victory, such actions could ultimately lead to political disaster for that party. “I urge our allies on the streets --and anyone trying to muddy the waters--please do not try to make the situation volatile,” he said. The BNP leader said the international community has made it clear that without an elected government, they will not release funds. He said at this critical juncture--when the economy is struggling, unemployment is rising, and everything seems to be falling apart--some political parties are setting various conditions. “Some of those who once stood with us on the streets are now trying to obstruct the national election by attaching various preconditions. Creating complications over holding the election essentially means either trying to seize control of the state machinery without participating in the election or paving the way for the return of a fallen, defeated, and fugitive dictator,” Tarique said. He said associates of the runaway autocrat recently carried out arson attacks even in the capital. “This should serve as a warning for all forces that once fought against fascism.” In the past, the BNP leader said, some leaders of a party took shelter under the fascist umbrella to save themselves from repression as part of their political strategy. “In today’s changed circumstances, it seems the fallen and defeated autocrats are now trying to find refuge under the umbrella of that very party which once stood against fascism. It is time for everyone to take a hard look and think seriously about this situation,” he said. Tarique also expressed concern that a party may be trying to create scope for the rehabilitation of fallen, fugitive forces into politics under the guise of a referendum before the national election. “I call upon all democracy-loving people of the country to remain vigilant against such moves.” He said the people do not expect complete success from a short-term interim government in all areas, and it is not the interim government’s primary responsibility to fulfil every demand of the people. “The interim government has set the schedule for the national election in February. Now the government has to decide whether it will fulfil the aspirations of a particular political party or prioritise the February election to establish a government that is accountable to the democracy-loving people of the country,” the BNP leader said. He said the BNP has remained fully committed to maintaining unity in the anti-fascist alliance. “If we review the Consensus Commission’s discussions, it will be seen that the BNP has presented a positive stance on most points. Our position is very clear: the commitments made in the July Charter, which we signed, will be fully upheld by the BNP, and we remain strongly committed to fulfilling them,” Tarique said. He said over 1,500 people were martyred during the July–August movement, and students, the general public, women and men, farmers, and workers took to the streets. “The people took to the streets to assert their rights in the state and in politics. As a political activist, I believe that surely the people did not sacrifice their lives to create an opportunity for a particular political party or group to establish its rights or to engage in political bargaining,” the BNP leader said. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said the politics of reconciliation initiated by Zia is now much needed in Bangladesh. Tarique Rahman likely to return home by end of November: Salahuddin He said an unnecessary crisis has been created with the motive to obstruct the election, which is necessary for reforms and the restoration of democracy, and to prevent uncertainty over the people’s future. The BNP leader urged all political parties to work together to resist any plots and ensure the restoration of democracy under the leadership of Tarique Rahman. Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) President Col (Retd) Oli Ahmed recounted how BNP founder Ziaur Rahman came to politics and initiated various reforms to develop the country as a true patriot. “Ziaur Rahman was fully devoted to Bangladesh and worked only for the country and its people. He began reforms but could not complete them. I urge Tarique Rahman to continue from where your father and mother left off. We will provide our support,” he said. Jamaat's Assistant Secretary General Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair, Jatiya Party (Zafar) Chairman Mostafa Jamal Haider, Gonoforum President Subrata Chowdhury, NPP Chairman Fariduzzaman Farhad, Labour Party Chairman Mostafizur Rahman Iran, Biplobi Workers Party General Secretary Saiful Haque, AB Party Chairman Mojubur Rahman Monju, and Gono Odhikar Parishad General Secretary Rashed Khan, educationist Prof Mahbub Ullah, among others, addressed the programme. BNP Standing Committee members Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Salahuddin Ahmed, Selima Rahman, Hafizuddin Ahmed, and Dr AZM Zahid Hossain also addressed the programme. Read more: Violence cannot halt elections, says Amir Khosru

Stating that there is no provision for a referendum in the Constitution, BNP senior leader Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury on Saturday (8th November 2025) urged political parties to avoid heating up the streets over the issue in order to prevent political confrontation. “The current interim government has been formed under the existing Constitution and has taken oath in accordance with it. There is no provision for a referendum in this Constitution,” he said. Speaking at a dialogue titled ‘Jonotar Ishthehar (People’s Manifesto)’ at a city hotel, the BNP leader said if political parties want to introduce a referendum, they must first obtain a public mandate through the next election, place their proposals in Parliament, and only after those proposals are passed can a referendum be held. “We may have many desires and demands, but not all of them can be met by sitting in Dhaka and trying to reach consensus through the Consensus Commission. The only real solution is to go to the people and resolve these issues through their mandate,” he said. Khosru, a BNP Standing Committee member, said political parties should embrace the spirit of people’s mandate instead of imposing their ideas on others. BNP candidate Ershad Ullah airlifted to Dhaka for treatment “Everyone has the right to protest. But the people of Bangladesh no longer want confrontational politics. They want stability. Even when there is disagreement, people want to show respect for others’ views. That culture must take root among us,” he said. The BNP leader urged parties not to rush to the streets over the referendum issue, warning that such moves could spark violence. “You can’t keep going out into the streets over every issue. If one group stages a protest and another group then also takes to the streets in response, what will happen? There will be clashes. If the largest party mobilises on the streets and another large group protests against them, we will see violent confrontation,” he said. Khosru said the people of Bangladesh did not remove autocratic ruler Sheikh Hasina only to drag the country back into confrontational politics. “We must be extremely careful. There are those who may try to link such actions to attempts to disrupt or delay the election.” Fakhrul slams govt for creating situation to derail polls Khosru said BNP initially announced a 27-point state reform proposal, which was later expanded to 31 points through consultations with 42 parties and people from all walks of life. He said, “After publishing it, we sought public feedback nationwide and online, inviting suggestions to refine it further. People’s input is essential. Each party has its own philosophy and ideas, but no one should try to impose their views outside the agreed consensus.” After long discussions under the Consensus Commission, political parties reached an agreement and signed a joint charter, he said, adding, “That consensus must be respected during implementation. No one can enforce their own version unilaterally.” Khosru observed that after 15–17 years of Sheikh Hasina’s rule, an authoritarian mindset has developed, with some politicians believing only their opinions matter. “But democratic politics requires respect for differing views.” He warned that attempts to bypass consensus or impose unilateral decisions could undermine democracy. “There is no scope to go beyond the consensus reached among political parties. If anyone wants to move beyond that, they should go to the people in the next election with their manifesto.” Desperation to hold referendum before election raises public suspicion: Khosru Referring to the recent killing in Chattogram, Khosru said it appeared to stem from internal feuds within a student organisation but suspected that those trying to delay or obstruct the upcoming election might be involved. On BNP’s election preparations, he said the party’s forthcoming manifesto would focus on job creation, rural economic growth, education, healthcare, and investment reform. “BNP has a clear plan to create 10 million jobs within 18 months. We have identified exactly where and how those jobs will be created,” he said, adding that the plan prioritises agriculture, manufacturing and services. Khosru also pledged to invest up to 5% of GDP in education and healthcare, focusing on skills development and technology-based employment for the youth. “We will not pursue mega projects by printing money or taking excessive loans. Our investment will focus on job creation and sustainable growth,” he said. Read more: BNP’s Mosharraf calls on people to unite for fair Feb election

National unity is crucial to defeat fascism and save the country, Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus said on Saturday. “We face a great challenge in shaping the future of this country. This challenge cannot be met by a single person, organisation, agency, or government alone. Unity among all political parties and factions is essential, and it must be maintained despite any adversity,” he said in a statement Saturday night. He also thanked the members of the National Consensus Commission for engaging with all active political parties and reaching an agreement to formulate and implement the July National Charter. Chief Adviser directs armed forces to prepare for election security Describing the charter as a historic achievement, the Chief Adviser said, “This document is invaluable for our nation. It will not only guide the upcoming national elections but also serve as a roadmap for future politics and strengthen our democracy.” Prof Yunus added that people expect reforms that will foster a democratic culture in Bangladesh, prevent any future dictatorship, ensure overall national development, and protect the civil rights and dignity of every citizen. “The most encouraging aspect is that these reforms have been agreed upon by us, not imposed from outside. In the past, foreign mediators, including representatives of the UN and friendly countries, have often intervened in Bangladesh’s political dialogue. But after the July mass uprising, the political parties decided to solve our own crisis internally. All parties have come together, engaged in political debate, and paved the way for a solution. Instead of relying on the world, we have presented our national unity as an example to the world,” he said. CA’s office asks officials to avoid foreign travels until election On behalf of the nation, he thanked all political leaders who worked tirelessly to make the charter possible, calling it a historic achievement. Claiming the July charter is a unique global example, the Chief Adviser said, “Nothing like this has happened anywhere else in the world. It will be a shining moment in political history. Other nations may consider forming a ‘Consensus Commission’ during times of crisis as a model for nation-building.” He also acknowledged the contributions of the Vice-Chairman of the National Consensus Commission, Professor Ali Riaz, members Dr. Badiul Alam Majumdar, Dr. Iftekharuzzaman, Safar Raj Hossain, Justice Emdadul Haque, Dr. Mohammad Ayub Mia, Special Assistant Monir Haider, and media representatives who covered the commission’s work for months.  “We must preserve the unprecedented unity we have achieved in state reforms. Fascist forces have devoted all their strength to divide the nation. For the past 15 months, we have unitedly confronted their various conspiracies. To defeat fascism and safeguard this country, there is no other option but to maintain national unity,” he added. Read more: BNP not to take responsibility for unsigned parts of July Charter: Fakhrul

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday said the joint street programmes announced by several Islamist parties, including Jamaat-e-Islami, to press for demands such as proportional representation in elections are ‘not good for democracy’. “I think such programmes are unnecessary. The talks (with the Consensus Commission) have not ended yet. Talks are still going on… At a time when discussions are underway, calling such programmes only means creating unnecessary pressure,” he said. Talking to reporters at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport upon his return from Singapore, Fakhrul also said, “In my view, this (movement by Islamic parties) is neither good for democracy nor helpful for taking the right decisions.” When his attention was drawn to Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar’s remark that they have taken to the streets as problems are not being resolved at the discussion table, the BNP leader countered with a question about whether problems will be solved by coming to the streets. “My counter question is – will coming to the streets actually resolve anything?” He said BNP is still the largest political party and, after the fall of the Awami League, it has not taken to the streets over any issue. “We are trying to resolve everything through discussions. We believe this will be settled through talks,” the BNP leader observed. Fakhrul, who went to Singapore along with his wife for her treatment on September 10, returned home in the evening on a regular Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight. Jamaat reiterates demand for elections under PR system Reiterating BNP’s stance on the proportional representation (PR) system, he said the party is not in favour of such an electoral system. “We think there is no need for PR in Bangladesh. “Discussions are ongoing at the July Charter. We have agreed on several issues… and those matters can be addressed when the time comes.” He said the most important requirement for any action is public support, which comes through elections and Parliament, as only Parliament has the authority to amend or change the constitution. When asked about the possibility of banning the 14-party alliance, including the Jatiya Party, Fakhrul said BNP has clearly stated in the past and continues to maintain that it is not in favour of banning any political party. Khosru warns of political consequences for attempts to destabilise country  Replying to another question, he also said that BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman will return very soon. Asked about his possible participation at the 80th UN General Assembly with Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, Fakhrul said he did not yet know what his role would be. “Because I have not discussed this matter with Dr Muhammad Yunus or other political leaders… I think the focus there will be on the progress of democracy in the country, as well as on the country’s development,” he said. Responding to another question about whether decisions for the country are often made externally, the BNP leader said he does not think so. “We must take our decisions ourselves through coordinated and united efforts.” He said Bangladesh has always made its decisions within the country and will continue to do so, with the people of the country taking those decisions. “I believe there is no need for any external intervention.”

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has said the ‘July Charter’ is a historic achievement, which will ensure the smooth transfer of power in Bangladesh, the country’s independence and capacity of accountable state institutions. He hoped that political parties will soon sign the ‘July Charter’ and also agree on its implementation as it will ensure the genuine realisation of citizen rights, proper management of national resources and capabilities. "Under the leadership of the Consensus Commission, and through continuous dialogue among all political parties over a long period, the ‘July Charter’ has now reached its final stage," Prof Yunus said in a televised speech to the nation on Tuesday night. "In terms of reform, we have achieved our goals," he said, noting that since the July Uprising, they have come a long way. He said the ‘July Charter’ will be remembered not only in political history but also in the broader context of political history. "Not only will the document itself but also the process of its creation be remembered," Prof Yunus said. On behalf of the nation, Prof Yunus extended heartfelt gratitude and thanks to the leaders of all political parties and the members of the Consensus Commission, especially to Professor Ali Riaz, who led this initiative. Representatives from political parties participated in these discussions in a very cordial environment, he said. "Despite differences of opinion, there was a shared effort to reach consensus among all parties," said Prof Yunus, hoping that, based on this consensus, the political parties will soon sign the July Charter and also agree on its implementation. CA Prof Yunus to write CEC to arrange national election in February He said they must ensure that no future government can ever become fascist again. "The state must be restructured in such a way that any sign of fascism, wherever it appears, can be immediately eradicated right there, so we never again have to wait 16 years, never again lose so many lives. We must never again require another mass uprising," he said. The Chief Adviser said peace and order have returned to national life, the economy has regained momentum, and many crises have been resolved. Just a few days ago, he said, they successfully concluded tariff negotiations with the United States, which has significantly increased the potential of our economy. A year ago, when the interim government took over an economy devastated by 16 years of continuous destruction and plundering, few believed it could be revived, Prof Yunus said. "But within just one year, we have made progress beyond what anyone could have imagined. The economy has turned around. Now it is time to move forward at full speed," he said, mentioning that they are now progressing toward handing over the reins of governance from the interim government to an elected one. In his address to the nation four months after taking office, Prof Yunus promised to hold the next national parliamentary election in 2026 but before the election, they must complete several essential tasks. The July Declaration and the July Charter are among them. On the occasion of July Mass Uprising Day, the interim government presented the ‘July Declaration’ to the nation with the participation of political parties. "This declaration outlines the context of the July Uprising as well as other historic and democratic movements of the people of Bangladesh, including the great Liberation War," Prof Yunus said. He said they had three primary responsibilities - reform, justice and election. The students, workers and people who led the July Uprising wrote their demands and expectations on walls across the country. A key focus of those demands was the democratic reform of the state system. In line with that goal, the interim formed several reform commissions. Remain 'vigilant' as certain group wants to obstruct polls process: Prof Yunus "Among the recommendations submitted by the main commissions, we have already implemented many short-term and urgently needed reforms," Prof Yunus said. These reforms, he said, will bring dynamism to the economic sector, the justice system, and public administration; transparency and accountability will increase significantly; corruption, irregularities and harassment will be reduced. To implement long-term reforms, the interim government established the National Consensus Commission. Over 30 political parties and alliances participated enthusiastically and shared their views, said Prof Yunus. At the initial stage, the Consensus Commission held discussions over two months with these political parties and alliances on their 166 recommendations. Based on the areas of consensus, the commission has identified 19 fundamental reforms, setting aside the issues on which political consensus were already established. In the second phase, after 23 days of discussion, consensus has been reached on most aspects of 19 additional issues, although there are notes of dissent from some political parties on a few points, Prof Yunus said. The Chief Adviser remembered the martyrs of July, the shining sons and daughters of the nation. "To those who were injured, permanently disabled, or lost their vision in July, I extend my deepest respect and gratitude on behalf of the entire nation." Over the past year, Prof Yunus said they have passed through many crises and possibilities. "Several incidents and tragedies have deeply saddened us." Most recently, he said, the heartbreaking plane crash at Milestone School and College claimed the lives of many people, including our innocent children. "Many were injured in the resulting fire. This tragedy has left the entire nation in shock. I pray for the peace of the souls who lost their lives in this incident and wish a swift recovery to those still under medical care," Prof Yunus said. Following this horrific accident, doctors and nurses from countries including Singapore, China, and India have worked tirelessly to help the injured, he said, extending his sincere gratitude to them. "I also thank those who stood beside the victims by donating blood."

Vice-Chairman of the National Consensus Commission Professor Ali Riaz on Wednesday said there is no disagreement among political parties regarding the reinstatement of the caretaker government system. “There is a clear and specific consensus on this issue (caretaker issue),” he told reporters during a briefing at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka, following the eighth day of the second phase of dialogues between the Commission and political parties. Ali Riaz said discussions on the formation, structure and jurisdiction of the caretaker government took place today, with political parties moving significantly closer through open and detailed dialogue. Ali Riaz hopeful of consensus on ‘July Charter’ by mid-July Apart from the caretaker issue, the demarcation of electoral constituencies was also discussed. “On this matter too, a notable consensus has been reached,” he said. He said the parties agreed on taking both immediate and long-term measures for constituency delimitation. As an immediate measure, an expert committee — comprising individuals with appropriate expertise —will be formed (or modified if already in place) with assistance from the Election Commission to determine parliamentary constituencies for the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election, based on the committee’s recommendations. On long-term arrangements, Riaz said a provision will be added to the end of Article 119(1)(g) of the Constitution—after the word “and”—stating that “an expert committee will be formed by law” to revise parliamentary boundaries after every census or within a maximum of 10 years. The structure and responsibilities of this committee will be defined by amending Section 8(3) of the National Parliament (Constituency Demarcation) Act, 2021, revised in 2025. Representatives from 30 political parties, including BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, National Citizens’ Party (NCP), Gono Odhikar Parishad, Ganasamhati Andolon, Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB), Revolutionary Workers Party, and Amar Bangladesh (AB) Party, took part in today’s dialogue. Commission members present at the dialogue included Justice Md Emdadul Haque, Safar Raj Hossain, Dr Badiul Alam Majumdar, Dr Md Aiyub Miah and Monir Haidar, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser. Ali Riaz seeks consensus on appointments to constitutional bodies Wednesday’s discussions also covered the appointment process of constitutional and statutory bodies and the election procedure for an upper chamber. The next round of talks with political parties will be held on Thursday (July 3) at 10:30am.

The National Consensus Commission (NCC) aims to reach a final decision on the National Constitutional Council (NCC) during Wednesday’s meeting with political parties. At the start of the second day of the commission’s second phase of discussions, being held at the Foreign Service Academy in the capital, Prof Vice-Chairman of the National Consensus Commission Ali Riaz made the remarks. “Today, we will discuss the District Coordination Council. During the preliminary stage of the Constitution Reform Commission’s discussions, several alternative proposals emerged. We expect to make significant progress on this issue today. I will be most pleased if we can come to a decision on the NCC today. That would greatly assist our work moving forward,” he said. Professor Riaz went on to say, “The most urgent matter is to reach a consensus through consultations with all stakeholders before making any decisions. Our time is limited. By mid-July, we must finalise a national charter, after which signatures from all parties will be required.” Consensus Commission resumes talks with parties; Jamaat joins second day He also urged the political leaders present to avoid repetition during discussions to ensure the meeting’s efficiency. The agenda for today’s meeting includes concluding previously unfinished discussions, the National Constitutional Council (NCC), and the presidential election. The National Consensus Commission announced that discussions will continue tomorrow (Thursday- June 19). Political parties such as BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, NCP, Islami Andolan, Nagorik Oikko, Gan Adhikar Parishad, and Gan Songhoti Andolon, among others, joined the talks.

The National Consensus Commission resumed its Wednesday’s session under the second phase of dialogue with the country’s political parties, with Jamaat-e-Islami joining the discussions on the second day. The meeting began at 11:29 am at the Foreign Service Academy in the capital, with Commission’s Vice-Chairman Professor Ali Riaz in the chair. Jamaat, which did not participate in Tuesday’s session, was represented today by its central assistant secretary generals Maulana Rafiqul Islam Khan and AHM Hamidur Rahman Azad, and central executive council member Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher. When asked why the party skipped the first day, Rafiqul Islam Khan told reporters, “I’ll explain the reason later -- not now.” Wednesday’s agenda includes concluding unfinished discussions from previous rounds, alongside talks on the formation of a proposed National Constitutional Council (NCC) and the procedure for the presidential election. Consensus Commission biased towards particular party, allege NCP, Nur The Commission said the dialogue will continue on Thursday (June 19). Along with BNP, other political parties attending today’s session include the Nationalist Citizen Party (NCP), Islami Andolan Bangladesh, Nagorik Oikya, Gono Adhikar Parishad and Gonosonghoti Andolon. The ongoing talks are aimed at building broader political consensus on key constitutional and electoral issues.

The National Consensus Commission will restart its second round of the reform dialogue with political parties on Tuesday to finalise recommendations and prepare the July Charter. The talks will begin at 11am in the capital’s Foreign Service Academy, said a press release on Sunday. The unfinished discussion over the Article 70 of the constitution, the chairmanship nomination for parliamentary standing committees and the women representation in parliament will be held. Besides, two new issues --the bicameral parliament and the appointment of Chief Justice -- will be discussed on that day. EC must be ready, no matter when election held: CEC The National Consensus Commission will also hold talks on June 18 and 19, but the agenda for the two days have not been informed yet. On June 02, Chief Adviser and Commission Chairman Prof Muhammad Yunus opened the second round of the dialogue and then the commission sat with political parties just for a day (June 03) to discuss three reform issues. Nearly 30 parties, including BNP, Jamaat, and the National Citizen Party-NCP, joined the June 03 talks presided over by Commission vice chairman Prof Ali Riaz. Three issues -- the Article 70 of the constitution, the chairmanship nomination for parliamentary standing committees and the women representation in parliament – were widely discussed. The Consensus Commission started its first round of talks with political parties on March 20 to forge a national consensus on state reform initiatives undertaken by the interim government. The Commission held talks with 33 parties and alliances including BNP, Jamaat and NCP before concluding the first round of dialogues on May 19. 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.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami joined talks with the National Consensus Commission on Sunday morning for the second day. The discussion began at 10:30 am with National Consensus Commission Vice-Chairman Prof Ali Riaz in the chair. An 11-member Jamaat delegation, led by its Nayeb-e-Ameer Syed Abdullah Muhammad Taher, participated in the discussion at the LD Hall of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban.  Earlier on April 26, Jamaat-e-Islami participated in the dialogue with the Consensus Commission for the first day. During the first day's talks, Jamaat-e-Islami agreed to the proposals for the introduction of the proportional representation (PR) system, a bicameral parliament and the provision to prevent any individual from becoming Prime Minister more than twice. They discussed only the Constitution-related reform recommendations on the first day. On March 20 last, the Consensus Commission opened a series of talks with political parties to forge a national consensus on state reform initiatives undertaken by the interim government. The commission has already held talks with more than 30 political parties, including BNP 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. Jamaat’s registration: SC sets June 1 for delivering verdict The commission, in its initial phase, 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. At least 34 political parties, including BNP, Jamaat and NCP, responded by sending their reform opinions in broad sheets to the Consensus Commission. Ex-Jamaat leader Barrister Abdur Razzaq passes away The Commission aims to reach a national consensus by mid-July.